Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia ended on a softer note, with the benchmark index extending its decline to a fourth consecutive day, and falling by nearly 2.0 per cent cumulatively over the period, as investors adopted a defensive stance amid escalating geopolitical conflict in West Asia. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 3.97 points to 1,676.86 from Monday's close of 1,680.83. The benchmark index opened 3.22 points higher at 1,684.05 and moved between 1,673.14 and 1,687.60 throughout the day.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the broader market saw losers outnumbering gainers 538 to 343, while 632 counters remained unchanged, 1,134 were untraded, and 11 were suspended. Turnover shrank to 2.55 billion units worth RM2.58 billion from Monday's 2.86 billion units worth RM2.72 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng, noted that cautious sentiment persisted on the domestic front, with investors maintaining a defensive stance amid an uncertain external backdrop. He added that the lack of strong foreign inflows continued to limit upside momentum, leaving the benchmark index vulnerable to further downside.
Meanwhile, IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan commented that market sentiment turned increasingly cautious as participants entered a 'countdown mode' ahead of a critical deadline set by US President Donald Trump. Trump intensified threats against Iran, warning of strikes on civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if no agreement is reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This situation has raised legal and ethical concerns, with some experts cautioning that such actions could raise serious questions under international humanitarian law.
Regional markets traded mixed, with Japan's Nikkei 225 Index gaining 0.03 per cent, South Korea's KOSPI advancing 0.82 per cent, while Singapore's Straits Times Index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index experienced declines. Among Bursa Malaysia's heavyweights, IHH Healthcare and CelcomDigi registered gains, while Maybank and Public Bank faced losses. On the most active list, Tanco rose, while Astro remained flat. Top gainers included Petronas Dagangan and Hong Leong Bank, while top losers were Nestle and Fraser and Neave.
On the index board, various indices such as the FBM Top 100 Index, FBM Emas Index, and FBM Emas Shariah Index saw declines. By sector, the Financial Services Index and Plantation Index decreased while the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up slightly. The Main Market volume dropped alongside warrants turnover and ACE Market volume. Consumer products and services counters accounted for a significant portion of shares traded on the Main Market, alongside other sectors such as industrial products and services, construction, technology, and financial services.