Kuala Lumpur: Bursa Malaysia maintained its positive tone at midday, supported by buying interest in most heavyweights as market sentiment continued to improve, analysts said. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced 0.79 per cent or 12.10 points to 1,525.70 from Tuesday’s close of 1,513.60. The benchmark index opened 3.10 points higher at 1,516.61 and moved between 1,514.65 and 1,525.73 throughout the morning trading session.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, market breadth was negative, with decliners leading gainers 413 to 318, while 416 counters were unchanged, 1,322 untraded, and 46 suspended. Turnover stood at 2.16 billion shares worth RM1.17 billion. Maybank Investment Bank Bhd highlighted the importance of tariff-related headlines as April 2, 2025, approaches, which could shape global market sentiment. Technically, it expects the benchmark index to range between 1,505 points and 1,525 points today, with supports at 1,470 points and 1,440 points.
Meanwhile, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd noted potential volatility in markets going into the second quarter of calendar year 2025 (2Q 2025), arising from uncertainties related to United States (US) trade policies. The bank anticipates moderating factors, such as the expectation of US rate cuts this year, which could result in a weaker US dollar and potentially attract foreign investors back to Malaysian markets.
Among heavyweights, Axiata and Maxis surged 13 sen each to RM1.91 and RM3.39, respectively. Public Bank added 5.0 sen to RM4.49, while CIMB and CelcomDigi increased by 6.0 sen each to RM7.06 and RM3.51, respectively. In the actives, ACE Market debutant Chemlite Innovation Bhd fell 2.0 sen to 23 sen, Reneuco added half-a-sen to 5.5 sen, Wawasan Dengkil rose 2.0 sen to 25 sen, Pertama Digital decreased by 2.0 sen to 13.5 sen, and Borneo Oil remained flat at 1.0 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index jumped 64.46 points to 11,415.96, the FBMT 100 Index increased by 69.29 points to 11,177.71, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index rose 63.02 points to 11,153.21. The FBM 70 Index gained 24.40 points to 16,330.96, but the FBM ACE Index declined by 20.22 points to 4,725.58. Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index increased by 135.05 points to 18,558.82, the Industrial Products and Services Index slightly decreased by 0.17 of-a-point to 153.15, the Plantation Index climbed 12.39 points to 7,450.06, and the Energy Index gained 0.99 of-a-point to 755.57.