Kuala Lumpur: Bursa Malaysia rebounded from early losses to close higher today, supported by the performance of regional peers amid improved investor sentiment. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) added 6.35 points, or 0.43 percent, to 1,483.27 compared to Wednesday’s close of 1,476.92.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the benchmark index opened 1.75 points lower at 1,475.17 and moved between 1,473.21 and 1,487.27 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers outpaced decliners 455 to 354, while 467 counters were unchanged, 1,134 untraded, and 19 others suspended. Turnover slipped to 2.40 billion units valued at RM1.60 billion from 3.00 billion units valued at RM1.65 billion on Wednesday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng noted that the FBM KLCI resumes its uptrend in tandem with the performance across the region. Thong highlighted that investor sentiment is improving following China President Xi Jinping’s recent tour of Southeast Asia, which included visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to reinforce economic ties amid escalating trade tensions with the United States. This diplomatic initiative is seen as a move to counterbalance the impact of US tariffs on Chinese exports and foster regional alliances.
Domestically, Thong expressed cautious optimism given the improving geopolitical climate in the region, which may stimulate renewed interest among foreign investors. He suggested that the benchmark index needs to break above the 1,500 level with strong volume to form a base for a stronger uptrend, anticipating the FBM KLCI to trend within the 1,470-1,500 range towards the weekend.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that trade talks between the US and Japan began in Washington on Wednesday to ease tensions stemming from US tariffs. US President Donald Trump described his meeting with the Japanese delegation as a sign of ‘big progress.’ Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa led the Japanese delegation, with both sides aiming for a swift resolution before the 90-day tariff pause ends.
On the local bourse, heavyweights like CIMB Group, Tenaga Nasional, and Maybank saw gains, while stocks such as NexG and Tanco Holdings increased in value. The FBM Emas Index, FBMT 100 Index, and FBM Emas Shariah Index all recorded gains, illustrating a broad-based uplift in the market.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index and the Energy Index saw an increase, while the Plantation Index declined. Market volumes were lower across the Main Market, Warrants, and ACE Market compared to the previous day, with consumer products and services counters accounting for a significant portion of shares traded on the Main Market.