KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 — Bursa Malaysia’s key index finished marginally higher, supported by strong buying interest in consumer-related counters, amid mixed performance across regional markets.
At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 1.40 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 1,711.39 from Tuesday’s close of 1,709.99.
The key index opened 12.36 points firmer at 1,722.35 and moved between 1,711.31 and 1,722.63 throughout the session.
Market breadth was negative, with losers leading gainers 678 to 493, while 549 counters were unchanged, 1,016 untraded and 34 suspended.
Turnover increased to 4.50 billion units worth RM3.45 billion from 3.93 billion units worth RM3.45 billion on Tuesday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said bargain hunting continued to emerge in selected blue-chip counters, particularly those with resilient earnings prospects and attractive valuations.
Nevertheless, he said investors are likely to remain selective as the peace agreement has yet to be formally finalised, while uncertainties surrounding the global economic outlook and foreign fund flows remain key considerations.
“Overall, we maintain a cautiously optimistic stance on the local market, with the FBM KLCI expected to trade within the 1,700-1,720 range towards the weekend,” he told Bernama.
IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said today’s positive performance was supported by improving global risk sentiment after United States President Donald Trump signed a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia.
He said the development fuelled optimism that tensions between the US and Iran could ease further, helping restore confidence across regional equity markets.
“Looking ahead, investors will continue to monitor developments surrounding the West Asia peace process, movements in crude oil prices, and upcoming global economic data releases for further direction.
“Sustained easing in geopolitical risks could provide additional support for risk assets, particularly sectors that benefit from lower energy and transportation costs,” he added.
Among heavyweights, Press Metal rose 32 sen to RM8.52, 99 Speed Mart added 17 sen to RM3.57, MRDIY gained seven sen to RM1.68, while Maybank was flat at RM11.16 and Public Bank fell five sen to RM5.00.
Among the active stocks, Tanco and Hong Seng were down half a sen to 14.5 sen and one sen, respectively. Zetrix AI shed three sen to 77 sen, while ACE Market debutant Sum Technology soared 24.5 sen to 52.5 sen, and Borneo Oil was flat at half a sen.
Of the top gainers, Hong Leong Industries garnered 66 sen to RM19.14, Petronas Dagangan rose 36 sen to RM18.64, Dutch Lady climbed 24 sen to RM32.50, and Hong Leong Bank was 18 sen firmer at RM22.18.
Among the top losers, Nestle slipped RM1.66 to RM95.14, Malaysian Pacific Industries dipped 74 sen to RM48.56, Paragon tumbled 58 sen to RM1.71, and Concrete Engineering decreased 45 sen to RM3.71.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index perked up 1.08 points to 12,663.26, the FBM Top 100 Index put on 4.22 points to 12,503.61, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index climbed 14.97 points to 12,489.71.
The FBM Mid 70 Index declined 19.76 points to 18,090.80 and the FBM ACE Index slid 16.72 points to 4,760.27.
By sector, the Financial Services Index eased 7.11 points to 20,277.14, the Energy Index edged down 2.21 points to 762.42, and the Plantation Index fell by 11.92 points to 8,767.45, while the Industrial Products and Services Index rose 2.14 points to 190.71.
The Main Market volume improved to 2.62 billion units valued at RM3.04 billion from 2.05 billion units valued at RM3.05 billion on Tuesday.
Warrants turnover dwindled to 986.61 million units valued at RM131.42 million from 1.11 billion units valued at RM146.79 million previously.
The ACE Market volume expanded to 895.14 million units worth RM283.17 million from 766.52 million units worth RM254.78 million on Tuesday.
Consumer products and services counters accounted for 310.0 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (554.06 million), construction (110.07 million), technology (526.46 million), financial services (87.91 million), property (536.89 million), plantation (25.51 million), real estate investment trusts (26.10 million), closed-end fund (21,100), energy (118.87 million), healthcare (197.99 million), telecommunications and media (46.79 million), transportation and logistics (37.68 million), utilities (43.54 million), and business trusts (21,600).
