Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia concluded its trading session at an intraday high on Monday, aligning with stronger performances across regional markets. This was coupled with ongoing buying interest in healthcare and financial stocks, as noted by an analyst.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, at 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 3.03 points, or 0.19%, reaching 1,638.09 from the previous close of 1,635.06 on Friday. The benchmark index opened slightly higher, gaining 1.08 points at 1,636.14, and recorded its lowest point at 1,629.93 earlier in the session.
Across the broader market, decliners outnumbered gainers, with 729 stocks declining and 403 gaining. Meanwhile, 464 counters remained unchanged, and 968 were not traded, with seven suspended. The turnover decreased to 3.69 billion units worth RM2.61 billion, down from 4.03 billion units valued at RM2.50 billion on Friday.
Rakuten Trade's vice-president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng, highlighted that regional equities performed well, with Japan's Nikkei 225 reaching new highs due to speculation around newly elected Liberal Democratic Party leader Sanae Takichi's potential fiscal stance. Trading sentiment was subdued overall, with mainland China markets closed for the Golden Week and Hong Kong set for a holiday the following day. Thong expressed optimism about the local market, noting the return of foreign funds and improved trading volume. The focus now turns to the 1,650 resistance level, with the brief consolidation period viewed as a sign of market strength.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank added two sen to RM10.02, Public Bank increased by three sen to RM4.37, and Tenaga Nasional rose by eight sen to RM13.36. IHH Healthcare saw a gain of 22 sen to RM8.35, whereas CIMB fell by one sen to RM7.67.
In active trading, KNM Group eased by 2.5 sen to half-a-sen, Borneo Oil and NexG remained flat, and V.S Industry and Tanco saw minor declines. Other top gainers included PPB Group, Nestle, Petronas Gas, PIE Industrial, and Kuala Lumpur Kepong. The top losers were KSL Holdings, Petronas Dagangan, Malaysian Pacific Industries, Allianz Malaysia, and Far East Holdings.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index eased slightly, while the FBM 100 Index and the FBM Emas Shariah Index saw minor increases. The FBM 70 and FBM ACE Indices experienced declines.
Sector-wise, the Industrial Products and Services Index saw a minor decline, while the Energy Index narrowed. In contrast, the Plantation and Financial Services Indices showed growth.
The Main Market volume saw a decrease, while warrant turnover expanded. The ACE Market volume also decreased compared to the previous trading session. On the Main Market, consumer products and services, industrial products and services, and technology counters were among the most actively traded sectors.