Kuala lumpur: The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) futures are anticipated to see firmer trading in the upcoming week, aligning with the expected positive momentum in the underlying cash market.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Sedek Jantan, director of investment strategy and country economist at IPPFA Sdn Bhd, indicated that the market is likely to be bolstered by strong domestic fundamentals and an uplift in regional sentiment. He noted that China's trade data, set to be released on Tuesday, will be crucial to confirm that external demand remains steady. A stronger-than-expected outcome could be advantageous for Malaysia due to its significant trade and manufacturing ties with China.

Moreover, Malaysia's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) continues to exceed the 50-point mark, signaling expansion. Additionally, robust US Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services data for August suggests ongoing momentum in global activity and demand, further supporting Malaysia's market prospects.

Despite these positive projections, the FBM KLCI futures experienced a downturn in the week that just ended. From Friday to Friday, the September 2026 contract dropped by 14 points to 1,686.0, while the new October 2026 contract settled at 1,685.0. The December 2026 contract decreased by 15 points to 1,690.5, and the March 2027 contract fell by 14 points to 1,674.5.

Weekly turnover witnessed a significant decline, falling to 39,901 lots from 219,976 lots the previous week. Concurrently, open interest dipped to 43,322 contracts from 54,810 contracts. On a similar Friday-to-Friday basis, the FBM KLCI itself declined by 17.78 points, closing at 1,708.10 compared to 1,725.88 the week before.