9:06 am - Malaysian shares seen flat in thin holiday trade

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Reuters) -

Malaysian shares are expected to open little changed in thin holiday trading on Wednesday after U.S. stocks extended losses overnight. "Stocks should extend range-bound trade amid weak investor participation ahead of the Christmas holiday tomorrow," said research firm TA Securities in its morning note. Malaysia's benchmark stock index closed Tuesday 0.26 percent lower at 871.16. "The bearish external lead from further drop in overnight U.S. markets given concerns over the viability of the U.S. auto industry, plunging home prices and worsening recession should act to dampen sentiment in the near term," said TA. U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday on further deterioration in the housing market, while worry over weak consumer spending hurt retailers in the final stretch of the Christmas shopping season. Here are the factors that may affect Malaysian stocks on Wednesday. >



Malaysia Airports gets nod for restructuring plan > Malaysia AirAsia, Sime in talks on new airport > Asia bond sales set to pick up as freeze relents > Etisalat says its Iran licence bid was highest > Malaysia's auto sales down 6.7 pct Nov yr/yr > US housing slide worsens; Spain joins recession > Biden says deal near on US economic stimulus plan > Wall St stumbles on economic data, retail anxiety > Oil falls below $39 on economic gloom > SEA Stocks-S'pore near 2-week low, Thai, Manila gain > Dollar gains vs yen, down vs euro in thin trading > Longer-dated bonds rise on weak home sales data > Gold slips on profit-taking in thin trade