Investors snap up glove stocks on hantavirus news

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 JULY 2026 —

Malaysian glove makers' shares surged on Bursa Malaysia today, with Top Glove Corporation Bhd and its warrant being the most actively traded, as investors snapped up stocks amid concerns over the hantavirus outbreak. Top Glove's shares rose as much as 10% to 79 sen before closing 5.6% higher at 76 sen, valuing the company at RM6.25 billion. A total of 91.7 million shares were traded, while its warrant saw 103.9 million units changing hands at 7.5 sen per warrant.

The current surge in glove stocks is attributed to the outbreak of the hantavirus on the MV Hondius, which resulted in the deaths of three people. According to the World Health Organization, at least eight cases have been reported, including three dead, five confirmed, and three suspected. The risk to public health remains low, but various governments are taking precautions to prevent further spread of the virus. The health ministry in Malaysia has confirmed that no Malaysians were on board the MV Hondius, and health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has warned that the virus carries a high fatality risk, with mortality rates for the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome reaching between 30% and 40%.

The Malaysian market has reacted positively to the news, with all four major glove makers seeing an increase in their share prices. Supermax Corp Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd were the 19th and 23rd most traded stocks, with 25.9 million shares and 23.9 million shares changing hands, respectively. Kossan jumped 7.1% to RM1.21, while Supermax rose 4.8% to 33 sen, with their market capitalizations at RM3.1 billion and RM1.06 billion, respectively. The increase in demand for medical gloves is expected to benefit the local glove makers, who are already experiencing high demand due to the ongoing pandemic.

The sector-specific impact of the hantavirus outbreak is expected to be significant, with glove makers being the primary beneficiaries. The big four glove makers are well-positioned to meet the increased demand for medical gloves, given their existing production capacity and expertise. Details on the exact impact on production and revenue are not yet available, but the current surge in share prices suggests that investors are optimistic about the prospects of the glove makers. The health minister's warning about the high fatality risk of the hantavirus has also highlighted the importance of medical gloves in preventing the spread of the virus.

Looking ahead, the outlook for the glove makers remains positive, driven by the ongoing pandemic and the recent hantavirus outbreak. While the risk to public health remains low, the precautionary measures being taken by governments worldwide are expected to drive up demand for medical gloves. Investors are likely to continue monitoring the situation closely, and any further developments on the hantavirus outbreak or the Covid-19 pandemic could impact the share prices of the glove makers. As the situation continues to evolve, it is likely that the glove makers will remain in focus, with investors seeking to capitalize on the potential gains from the increased demand for medical gloves.

Related: Top Glove · Bursa Malaysia