Kuala Lumpur:Bursa Malaysia’s key index experienced a rebound from earlier losses to conclude the morning session on a higher note, surpassing its regional counterparts due to sustained interest in plantation heavyweight stocks which bolstered market sentiment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increased by 1.15 points, or 0.07 percent, reaching 1,612.31, compared to Thursday’s closing figure of 1,611.16. The benchmark index had initially opened 0.70 points higher at 1,611.86 and fluctuated between 1,606.72 and 1,612.99 during the morning session.
Despite the rise in the key index, the broader market saw more losers than gainers, with 602 losing stocks compared to 313 gainers. Additionally, 436 counters remained unchanged, 1,429 were not traded, and 66 were suspended. The turnover was recorded at 1.89 billion units, valued at RM1.08 billion.
Regionally, the performance was mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index decreasing by 2.35 percent to 63,141.38, Singapore’s Straits Times index dipping 0.44 percent to 5,372.28, and South Korea’s KOSPI index dropping 3.90 percent to 5,705.88. Conversely, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose by 1.64 percent to 23,335.66.
Apex Securities Bhd highlighted that the market is influenced by uncertainties regarding the third-quarter 2026 corporate earnings and the FBM KLCI’s phased expansion from 30 to 50 constituents. Political factors, such as the dissolution of Sarawak’s state assembly ahead of its 13th state election and the upcoming Melaka polls on November 14, also contribute to market sentiment. The firm anticipates the FBM KLCI to remain within a range with a selective defensive approach in the near term, as investors assess both external and domestic uncertainties.
Among heavyweight stocks, Kuala Lumpur Kepong increased by 38 sen to RM20.90, while SD Guthrie rose by six sen to RM5.83. Public Bank saw a one sen rise to RM4.74, while Tenaga Nasional and CIMB remained stable at RM13.30 and RM6.89, respectively.
In terms of active trades, Zetrix AI declined by 1.5 sen to 6.5 sen, JAKS Resources fell by half a sen to 14.5 sen, GIIB Holdings decreased by 18.5 sen to 35.5 sen, Ni Hsin dropped by 14 sen to 23 sen, and VS Industry decreased by one sen to 33 sen.
United Plantations led the gainers, climbing 24 sen to RM29.24, followed by Nestle, which increased by 22 sen to RM96.12. APM Automotive Holdings rose by 21 sen to RM2.56, while Ayer Holdings advanced by 15 sen to RM7.90.
On the other hand, Malaysian Pacific Industries led the losers with a RM1.16 drop to RM40.34, while Mega Fortris decreased by 36 sen to RM2.38. Hong Leong Bank dropped by 28 sen to RM21.12, UWC Bhd lost 25 sen to RM7.39, and ViTrox fell by 22 sen to RM10.80.
In terms of index performance, the FBM Emas Index declined by 2.48 points to 12,053.41, the FBM Mid 70 Index fell by 20.27 points to 17,463.85, the FBM Emas Shariah Index decreased by 11.90 points to 12,072.38, and the FBM ACE Index slipped by 48.36 points to 5,398.80. However, the FBM Top 100 Index rose by 2.66 points to 11,853.62.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index decreased by 20.84 points to 18,517.10, the Industrial Products and Services Index fell by 0.30 points to 177.09, while the Energy Index gained 4.14 points to 848.50, and the Plantation Index increased by 54.02 points to 8,690.92.
Source BERNAMA News Agency