Kuala lumpur: The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) futures contract is anticipated to trade within a constrained range with a downward inclination next week, as investors focus on developments in West Asia amid a shortened trading week. Bursa Malaysia will not operate on June 1 and 2 due to the King's Birthday and Wesak Day holidays, resuming on June 3.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd's vice-president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng, stated that investors are likely to monitor closely the developments in West Asia, especially any talks between the United States and Iran. Thong noted that ongoing geopolitical uncertainties could lead to persistent volatility, although bargain-hunting activities might offer some support to the local market. He projected that the local benchmark index might trade in the 1,680-1,710 range next week.

For the past week, FBM KLCI futures contracts largely mirrored the cash market's downward trend. On a Friday-to-Friday comparison, the May 2026 contract dropped 35.0 points to 1,684.0, while the June 2026 contract decreased by 36.5 points to 1,680.0. The September 2026 contract fell 35.5 points to 1,662.0, and the December 2026 contract declined 34.0 points to 1,664.50.

Weekly turnover saw a significant surge, reaching 188,830 lots compared to 44,006 lots the previous week. Open interest also increased to 53,784 contracts from 43,086 contracts at the prior week's conclusion. The FBM KLCI ended this week 29.60 points lower at 1,683.07, down from 1,712.67 a week earlier.