Lembaga Tabung Haji has become a significant shareholder in AEON Co (M) Bhd following its latest acquisition of shares in the Malaysian retailer and shopping mall operator.
The pilgrimage fund crossed the 5% disclosure threshold after purchasing 250,000 shares, equivalent to a 0.018% stake, on Tuesday, February 24. This latest transaction increased Tabung Haji’s total holding in AEON Co to 5.013%, or approximately 70.39 million shares, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday.
With this move, Tabung Haji joins the list of notable institutional investors in AEON Co. Another key shareholder is the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), which holds a 7.618% stake in the company. Meanwhile, AEON Co’s parent company, AEON Co Ltd, remains the largest shareholder with a majority 52.02% ownership.
Tabung Haji has been actively participating in the Malaysian equities market in recent months. Last month, the fund re-emerged as a substantial shareholder in SKP Resources Bhd, taking a 5.092% stake after more than a decade, and also acquired a 5.006% stake in newly listed Orkim Bhd.
AEON Co’s shares responded positively to the announcement, ending one sen, or 0.76%, higher at RM1.33, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM1.87 billion. Analysts note that Tabung Haji’s increased participation in the market reflects its continued focus on strategic investments in well-established Malaysian companies with stable operations and long-term growth potential, reinforcing its position as an influential institutional investor.
This latest acquisition also highlights the growing trend of domestic funds strengthening stakes in local listed companies, potentially enhancing corporate governance and providing additional stability to the shareholder base of firms like AEON Co.
