Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia's barometer index closed stronger today, marking a new high for the year, as late buying activities turned the tide after earlier losses. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.54 points, or 0.21 per cent, to finish at 1,684.53, surpassing Monday's close of 1,680.99.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FBM KLCI opened the day 3.33 points lower at 1,677.66 and hit a low of 1,673.87 during the morning session. However, it regained momentum in the final hour of trading, closing at the day's high amid signs of year-end window dressing. Despite the gains in the key index, the broader market saw decliners outpacing gainers 536 to 463, with 544 counters remaining unchanged, 1,180 untraded, and 78 suspended.
Turnover narrowed to 1.88 billion units worth RM1.90 billion from 2.03 billion units worth RM1.79 billion recorded on Monday. Kenneth Leong, head of research at Berjaya Research Sdn Bhd, commented that the FBM KLCI is expected to remain subdued on the final trading day of the year, likely trading within a narrow range due to thinning market participation. He noted the absence of strong conviction buying and a lack of fresh catalysts, suggesting that near-term movements will be driven by technical factors.
Among heavyweight counters, notable movements included Maybank rising six sen to RM10.50, while CIMB remained flat at RM8.23. Public Bank gained three sen to RM4.54, Tenaga Nasional fell 10 sen to RM13.78, and IHH Healthcare added four sen to RM8.60. Active stocks saw Tanco edging up one sen to RM1.15, while Pharmaniaga eased by one sen to 29 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index rose 23.65 points to 12,328.54, and the FBM Top 100 Index gained 27.06 points to 12,136.39. The FBM Emas Shariah Index increased by 5.65 points to 12,119.57. However, the FBM ACE Index retreated 13.48 points to 4,861.30, while the FBM Mid 70 Index added 44.51 points to 16,830.45.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index saw an increase of 89.80 points to 19,766.79, and the Plantation Index rose 20.07 points to 8,342.19. Conversely, the Industrial Products and Services Index saw a minor decline, trimming 0.09 of-a-point to 173.83.
Main Market volume increased to 1.18 billion units worth RM1.76 billion compared to Monday's 1.13 billion units worth RM1.58 billion. Meanwhile, warrants turnover declined to 423.74 million units worth RM47.03 million, down from 607.80 million units worth RM69.59 million previously. The ACE Market volume also saw a reduction to 272.99 million units valued at RM87.94 million.
Consumer products and services counters accounted for 184.26 million shares traded on the Main Market, with significant trading activity in industrial products and services, technology, financial services, and other sectors.