Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia's key index ended lower as investors engaged in profit-taking activities following a streak of gains over three consecutive sessions, with significant declines observed in banking and energy stocks.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) decreased by 6.18 points, or 0.36 percent, closing at 1,713.76, compared to the previous close of 1,719.94. The index had initially opened higher by 0.72 of a point at 1,720.66, fluctuating between 1,712.88 and 1,724.83 throughout the trading session.

On the broader market, gainers surpassed losers with 590 to 475, while 604 counters remained unchanged, 1,034 were untraded, and 11 were suspended. Turnover increased to 4.07 billion units valued at RM2.84 billion, up from 3.52 billion units valued at RM2.75 billion on the prior trading day.

Mohd Sedek Jantan, director of investment strategy and country economist at IPPFA Sdn Bhd, noted that despite the weaker headline index, the market breadth showed resilience as healthcare, consumer, and plantation stocks performed well. This trend reflects a sustained preference for defensive sectors amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Oil prices continued to rise for the third consecutive session following a statement by United States President Donald Trump, who threatened further military action on Iran. This development occurred shortly after the US reinstated its blockade of Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, heightening concerns over potential supply disruptions.

Regional markets saw growth in Asian equities, driven by a weaker US dollar and improving expectations regarding the Federal Reserve's policy outlook. This environment bolstered risk appetite, particularly in semiconductor and technology-related stocks.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank decreased by four sen to RM10.96, CIMB fell by six sen to RM7.71, Tenaga Nasional dropped by two sen to RM14.38, while IHH Healthcare increased by 17 sen to RM8.62, and Public Bank remained unchanged at RM5.05.

In terms of active stocks, VS Industry increased by one sen to 22 sen, while HHRG, Dagang NeXchange, and PA Resources rose by 1.5 sen each to 16.5 sen, 44.5 sen, and 20 sen, respectively. Tanco remained flat at 31.5 sen, and ACE Market debutant Enest fell 2.5 sen to 10.5 sen.

Top gainers included Nestle, which rose RM1.50 to RM92.00, Malaysian Pacific Industries, which increased RM1.34 to RM45.74, Kluang Rubber, which climbed 35 sen to RM6.45, and UMS Integration, which gained 30 sen to RM8.31.

Conversely, Batu Kawan and LPI Capital both dropped 38 sen to RM21.32 and RM15.00, respectively, Petronas Gas decreased 26 sen to RM17.62, and Petronas Chemicals declined 21 sen to RM4.58.

Among broader indices, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased by 10.74 points to 12,502.78, the FBM 70 Index rose 88.76 points to 17,885.78, and the FBM ACE Index gained 49.69 points to 4,911.75. However, the FBM Emas Index decreased by 12.19 points to 12,649.73, and the FBMT 100 Index fell by 18.14 points to 12,480.52.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index decreased by 85.10 points to 20,154.39, the Industrial Products and Services Index fell by 1.76 points to 186.75, and the Energy Index declined by 3.49 points to 770.16. Meanwhile, the Plantation Index increased by 70.54 points to 9,438.96.

The Main Market volume increased to 2.30 billion units valued at RM2.50 billion, compared to 1.84 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on the previous day. Warrants turnover decreased to 1.04 billion units valued at RM140.74 million, from 1.12 billion units valued at RM135.26 million previously.

The ACE Market volume surged to 721.07 million units valued at RM193.18 million from 557.33 million units valued at RM162.70 million on the previous day. Consumer products and services counters accounted for 156.02 million shares traded on the Main Market, followed by industrial products and services (507.72 million), construction (75.73 million), technology (291.65 million), financial services (86.49 million), property (919.89 million), plantation (43.52 million), real estate investment trusts (16.02 million), closed-end fund (193,900), energy (92.99 million), healthcare (42.33 million), telecommunications and media (19.59 million), transportation and logistics (27.18 million), utilities (29.10 million), and business trusts (14,800).