Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Malaysia

FBM KLCI opens higher post-holiday amid cautious market sentiment

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • The index gained 0.38% in early trade, led by stocks like PETRONAS Dagangan and Ajinomoto, though trading volume remained thin due to lingering festive breaks.
  • Market sentiment stayed wary as investors awaited potential new U.S. trade policies, which could impact Malaysia’s export-driven sectors and key listed companies.
  • While some Asian markets showed modest gains, concerns over slowing industrial growth and commodity price fluctuations kept overall investor confidence subdued.

[MALAYSIA] The FBM KLCI got off to a good start in early trade on Wednesday, as trading resumed after the two-day Hari Raya Aidilfitri vacation. The FBM KLCI increased 5.68 points, or 0.38%, to 1,519.33 at 9.13 a.m. The index started 3.49 points higher at 1,517.14.

Market analysts noted that the slight uptick could be attributed to bargain-hunting activities after the holiday lull, particularly in blue-chip stocks that had seen recent corrections. However, lingering uncertainties over global trade policies and domestic economic indicators kept gains in check. The trading volume is quite low at 233.07 million shares, valued RM150.9 million.

PETRONAS Dagangan gained 28 sen to RM18.56, Ajinomoto gained 22 sen to RM14.80, Malaysia Smelting Corp climbed 16 sen to RM2.71, and Teck Guan Perdana added 16 sen to RM1.77.

Sector-wise, consumer and energy stocks led the early gains, supported by stable commodity prices and renewed buying interest. Analysts, however, cautioned that the sustainability of this momentum remains uncertain, given the mixed signals from regional markets and fluctuating crude oil prices.

Nestle dropped RM1.08, Malaysian Pacific Industries sank 70 sen to RM18.40, F&N fell 48 sen to RM23.82, and Allianz slipped 20 sen to RM18.10. Overnight, the S&P 500 rose 0.38% to 5,633.07 points, while the Nasdaq Composite soared 0.87% to 17,449.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.03% to 41,989.96.

Regional markets showed a mixed performance, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising marginally on a weaker yen, while China’s Shanghai Composite dipped amid concerns over slowing industrial output. This divergence underscores the cautious sentiment prevailing across Asian equities as investors weigh the impact of U.S. trade policies.

According to Inter-Pacific Research, market conditions are anticipated to remain cautious ahead of President Trump's tariff pronouncements later today, which might hurt Malaysian exports to the US as well as companies with major export exposure to the US.

As a result, the overnight recovery in several of the leading global stock indices is unlikely to permeate to stocks on Bursa Malaysia, as emotions remain influenced for the time being.

"Market interest is also expected to remain thin due to the lack of domestic leads and many market players are still on the festive break," according to the report.

Adding to the cautious outlook, economists highlighted that Malaysia’s trade-dependent sectors, particularly electronics and palm oil, could face heightened volatility if the new U.S. tariffs target key export categories. This has led some institutional investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach until clearer policy directions emerge.

The research firm stated that the bearish bias will stay for the time being as market participants anticipate the tariff announcement, which could force the FBM KLCI constituents to continue to fall.

On the downside, supports are at 1,510 points and 1,502-1,506 points. Inter-Pacific claimed that the resistances are at 1,520 and 1,525 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade predicts the FBM KLCI will recover quickly because it must trend over the 1,530 mark as soon as possible or it will remain in a consolidation phase gain.

“For today, we expect the index to hover between the 1,515-1,530 range,” it said.


Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege

Read More

Finance Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
FinanceApril 25, 2025 at 1:30:00 PM

FBM KLCI holds steady amid global market rally

[MALAYSIA] The FBM KLCI ended the morning session slightly higher as investors turned to profit-taking ahead of the weekend, capping off a week...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyApril 25, 2025 at 1:30:00 PM

China considers tariff exemptions amid trade war

[WORLD] China is exploring the possibility of exempting certain U.S. imports from its steep 125% retaliatory tariffs, marking the strongest indication yet that...

Culture Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureApril 24, 2025 at 9:30:00 PM

How to work with a difficult colleague

[WORLD] Navigating a professional relationship with a colleague who harbours negative feelings towards you can be challenging. However, with strategic approaches rooted in...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyApril 24, 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

US-China trade tensions: No negotiations confirmed

[WORLD] China’s Ministry of Commerce on Thursday refuted claims of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, stating that reports suggesting progress in...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyApril 24, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

Malaysian firms eye Uganda’s oil fields amid shrinking domestic reserves

[MALAYSIA] Malaysian companies have been invited to compete for unexplored petroleum fields in Uganda, as the Southeast Asian nation’s oil and gas sector...

Politics Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
PoliticsApril 24, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

Kaja Kallas, the EU's senior diplomat, deals with Trump's turbulence

[EUROPE] European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is facing unprecedented challenges as she navigates a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape marked by U.S....

Tech Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
TechApril 24, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Tesla faces decline in EU sales amid rising competition

[EUROPE] Tesla’s sales in the European Union took another significant hit last month, marking a continued downturn that has raised questions about the...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyApril 24, 2025 at 12:30:00 PM

Trump administration weighs auto tariff reductions amid industry pressure

[UNITED STATES] The Trump administration is weighing the possibility of reducing certain tariffs imposed on the automotive industry, which executives have warned could...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyApril 24, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM

Hong Kong stocks drop as US rules out unilateral tariff cuts

[WORLD] Hong Kong stocks slipped on Thursday, ending a three-day winning streak, after investor sentiment took a hit following remarks from US Treasury...

Retail Malaysia
Image Credits: Open Privilege
RetailApril 24, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM

Zus Coffee overtakes Starbucks in Malaysia amid rapid Southeast Asia expansion

[MALAYSIA] Zuspresso, the operator behind the Zus Coffee brand, is set to expand aggressively in Southeast Asia this year, planning to open nearly...

Economy Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
EconomyApril 24, 2025 at 10:30:00 AM

Malaysia’s inflation eases in March amid public cost-of-living concerns

[MALAYSIA] Malaysia’s headline inflation rose at a slightly slower pace of 1.4% in March 2025, easing from 1.5% in February, in line with...

Finance Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
FinanceApril 24, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM

FBM KLCI holds steady amid trade war optimism

[MALAYSIA] The FBM KLCI began Thursday’s trading session on a flat note, opening around the 1,500 level as investors cautiously extended gains from...

Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege
Load More
Ad Banner
Advertisement by Open Privilege