Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia concluded lower for the second consecutive session on Tuesday, diverging from the regional market trend, as investor sentiment remained cautious due to renewed concerns over US tariffs.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dropped by 7.40 points, or 0.48 percent, closing at 1,530.14, down from Monday’s close of 1,537.54. The benchmark index began the day 7.85 points lower at 1,529.69 and fluctuated between 1,526.27 and 1,531.14 throughout the trading session.

Market breadth was negative, with 550 decliners surpassing 399 gainers. A total of 490 counters remained unchanged, while 966 were untraded and nine suspended. Turnover decreased to 3.06 billion shares worth RM2.20 billion, compared to 3.57 billion shares valued at RM2.49 billion on the previous day.

UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd’s head of investment research, Mohd Sedek Jantan, noted that the FBM KLCI’s losses extended amid heightened volatility in regional trade policy, with selling pressure particularly evident in banking and consumer-linked sectors. He explained that the domestic equity market remained under pressure following confirmation that Malaysian exports would face a 25 percent tariff under the United States’ latest trade action, one percentage point higher than initially indicated during the ‘Liberation Day’ announcement. Despite the local benchmark’s decline, most major indices in Asia traded higher on cautious optimism regarding potential US negotiations.

Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd’s equity research vice-president, Thong Pak Leng, suggested that the tariff situation might not be as severe as perceived and indicated that the recent selling could present bargain-hunting opportunities, with valuations becoming more attractive. He also stated that although the tariffs pose challenges, the impact on Malaysia is mitigated by the fact that regional competitors are also affected, sometimes more significantly. Thong Pak Leng expects the benchmark index to trend within the 1,520-1,550 range for the remainder of the week.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank and IHH Healthcare each dropped two sen to RM9.70 and RM6.70, respectively. Public Bank gained one sen to RM4.34, Tenaga Nasional added six sen to RM13.86, while CIMB fell 14 sen to RM6.61.

In active trading, NexG rose 1.5 sen to 43.5 sen, while Top Glove and Tanco each slipped half-a-sen to 68.5 sen and 89 sen, respectively. Zetrix AI gained two sen to 97 sen, and Supermax climbed 4.5 sen to 63.5 sen.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index fell by 50.52 points to 11,468.14, the FBMT 100 Index decreased by 55.32 points to 11,237.91, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index dropped by 68.29 points to 11,432.44. The FBM 70 Index declined by 85.55 points to 16,537.90, while the FBM ACE Index edged down by 1.28 points to 4,472.34.

By sector, the Financial Services Index went down by 112.04 points to 17,609.92, the Industrial Products and Services Index decreased by 1.66 points to 153.75, the Plantation Index fell by 16.09 points to 7,428.92, and the Energy Index ticked down by 4.05 points to 733.54.

Main Market volume increased to 1.51 billion units worth RM1.98 billion from 1.47 billion units valued at RM2.16 billion on Monday. Warrants turnover decreased to 1.35 billion units valued at RM154.21 million from 1.83 billion units worth RM228.26 million previously. ACE Market volume eased to 194.48 million units valued at RM67.28 million versus 267.85 million units worth RM112.77 million yesterday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 132.43 million shares traded on the Main Market, followed by industrial products and services with 184.13 million, construction with 77.09 million, technology with 302.42 million, financial services with 56.70 million, property with 149.10 million, and healthcare with 372.48 million shares.

Additionally, in a filing with Bursa Malaysia, it was noted that NPC Resources Bhd will be removed from the Official List of Bursa Malaysia effective 9 am, July 11, 2025, in accordance with paragraph 16.07(b) of the Main Market Listing Requirements.