Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia’s main index sustained its upward trend, closing higher amid improved sentiment across major Asian markets. At the close of trading, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) recorded an increase of 6.03 points, or 0.37 percent, reaching 1,630.60, up from the previous day’s close of 1,624.57.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the index, which began the day 2.50 points higher at 1,627.07, fluctuated between 1,624.47 and 1,634.35 throughout the session. Despite the positive performance of the key index, the broader market saw more decliners than gainers, with 606 counters declining and 489 advancing. Additionally, 577 counters remained unchanged, 1,016 were untraded, and 10 were suspended.
The total turnover reduced slightly to 3.93 billion units valued at RM3.32 billion, compared to the previous day’s 3.99 billion units worth RM2.79 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd’s vice-president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng, noted that the anticipation of a potential rate cut by the US Federal Reserve boosted risk appetite, even amidst firm US Treasury yields. Softer US data, such as slowing manufacturing activity and retail sales, further fueled hopes for monetary easing, supporting regional equities.
Locally, Thong highlighted that the market’s resilience is sustained by steady institutional inflows and confidence in the fundamental strength of domestic corporations. Sentiment also received a boost following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement of Intel’s additional RM860 million investment to expand its Malaysian operations, a move anticipated to attract more capital and create new jobs.
Mohd Sedek Jantan, director of investment strategy and country economist at IPPFA Sdn Bhd, remarked that the FBM KLCI’s higher close for a second consecutive day was supported by continued bargain hunting and improved regional optimism, particularly within the technology sector. Banking stocks led the index’s advance, with all five banking constituents ending the session positively, the strongest gaining 3.71 percent. This performance reflects solid macroeconomic momentum and stable interest margins.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank rose by 37 sen to RM10.34, Public Bank and CIMB Group advanced by five sen each to RM4.41 and RM8.00, respectively, while Tenaga Nasional declined by 58 sen to RM12.74 and IHH Healthcare fell by four sen to RM8.36.
On the most active list, Capital A surged by 15.5 sen to 40 sen, Zetrix AI added two sen to 83.5 sen, and Velesto Energy improved by 1.5 sen to 24 sen. Conversely, Genting Malaysia decreased by 10 sen to RM2.25 and Tanco eased by five sen to RM1.11.
Top gainers included Nestle, which increased by RM8.60 to RM120.20, Fraser and Neave, which rose by RM1.48 to RM36.36, and Allianz Malaysia, which climbed by 40 sen to RM19.90. Meanwhile, PPB Group was among the top losers, sliding by 48 sen to RM10.10.
The index board displayed mixed results, with the FBM Emas Index rising by 32.42 points to 12,031.29, while the FBM Emas Shariah Index slipped by 55.34 points to 11,848.12. The FBMT 100 Index increased by 31.33 points to 11,821.59.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index jumped by 325.53 points to 19,110.98, while the Industrial Products and Services Index remained unchanged at 165.96. The Energy Index increased slightly by 0.96 points to 750.41, and the Plantation Index rose by 57.18 points to 8,091.10.
The Main Market volume expanded to 1.65 billion units valued at RM2.94 billion. However, warrants turnover decreased to 1.89 billion units worth RM249.52 million, and the ACE Market volume improved to 384.24 million units valued at RM126.05 million. Consumer products and services counters accounted for 462.00 million shares traded on the Main Market, with other sectors like industrial products, construction, technology, and financial services also actively traded.