Kuala Lumpur: Bursa Malaysia ended a mixed trading session with the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slightly higher by 0.31 points, closing at 1,511.95, following a day of fluctuating performance due to global geopolitical tensions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the broader market showed a negative trend with 488 decliners surpassing 361 gainers. The total turnover decreased to 2.42 billion units valued at RM1.79 billion, a drop from the previous day’s 3.03 billion units worth RM1.92 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd’s equity research vice-president, Thong Pak Leng, noted that regional indices fell broadly due to rising geopolitical tensions sparked by the potential involvement of the US in the Israel-Iran conflict. Thong highlighted a decline in risk appetite amid reports of US President Donald Trump reviewing military options concerning Iran. He emphasized a cautious local stance and expressed hope for peace talks between Israel and Iran to restore investor confidence.
Thong also pointed out potential buying opportunities in oil and gas and plantation stocks, maintaining a weekly FBM KLCI target range of 1,500-1,530. Meanwhile, Mohd Sedek Jantan of UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd remarked that local attention was focused on the US-Malaysia trade negotiations led by Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz. The discussions aim to address tariff-related uncertainties affecting investor sentiment.
Mohd Sedek noted that some domestically oriented sectors, such as consumer discretionary and telecommunications, gained traction, reflecting investor confidence in Malaysia’s economic resilience. He also highlighted Malaysia’s significant rise in the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking 2025, which bolsters the positive medium-term outlook for sectors like construction.
Among the major stocks, Maybank saw an increase of 7.0 sen to RM9.62, while Tenaga fell by 8.0 sen to RM14.22. Public Bank rose by 2.0 sen to RM4.24, CIMB decreased by 1.0 sen to RM6.65, and IHH Healthcare dropped by 4.0 sen to RM6.85.
Sector-wise, the Plantation Index dropped 12.70 points to 7,238.04, while the Energy Index rose by 1.84 points to 740.61. The Financial Services Index increased by 24.86 points to 17,421.43, whereas the Industrial Products and Services Index slightly declined by 0.09 points to 150.06.
In terms of trading volume, the Main Market saw a decrease to 1.06 billion units valued at RM1.55 billion, while the Warrants turnover reduced to 1.16 billion units worth RM180.99 million. The ACE Market volume also fell to 194.00 million units valued at RM60.65 million.
Consumer products and services were the most actively traded on the Main Market, followed by industrial products and services, construction, and technology sectors.