Kuala Lumpur: Bursa Malaysia is anticipated to experience volatile trading in the coming week, although market optimism is bolstered by improving global sentiment, a dealer reported.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd’s head of investment research, Mohd Sedek Jantan, stated that the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) maintains a constructive outlook in its near-term trajectory.
He highlighted that the optimism is fueled by easing trade tensions between the United States and China, increasing foreign inflows into Malaysian assets, and a strengthening ringgit. Investors, however, should brace for potential volatility as central banks in Australia, China, and Indonesia are set to announce monetary policy decisions.
The benchmark index has surpassed the 1,555 resistance level, last tested amid heightened US tariff speculations in March, and briefly reached 1,586 on May 15. This sets the stage for a potential move toward the 1,600 psychological threshold, Jantan mentioned.
On Friday, Bank Negara Malaysia announced a 4.4% expansion of the Malaysian economy in the first quarter of 2025, up from 4.2% in the same period of 2024, driven by sustained household spending supported by favorable labor market conditions and government policies.
Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng noted that investors’ attention will also be drawn to a slew of economic data, including the eurozone core consumer price index, China’s industrial production figures, and updates from the US Federal Open Market Committee.
Thong added that the benchmark index is expected to remain range-bound in the upcoming week, awaiting fresh catalysts. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the barometer index rose 25.25 points to 1,571.75 from 1,546.50 a week earlier.
The FBM Emas Index climbed 256.66 points to 11,746.04, the FBMT 100 Index advanced 215.46 points to 11,472.70, the FBM Emas Shariah Index garnered 283.83 points to 11,674.18, the FBM 70 Index surged 427.87 points to 16,702.41, and the FBM ACE Index rose 116.66 points to 4,765.86.
Across sectors, the Financial Services Index increased by 246.70 points to 18,487.65, the Industrial Products and Services Index added 7.39 points to 159.68, the Energy Index added 34.41 points to 729.38, and the Plantation Index gained 101.82 points to 7,385.59. However, the Healthcare Index slid 62.08 points to 1,880.34.
Turnover improved to 14.98 billion units valued at RM12.68 billion from 14.27 billion units valued at RM11 billion in the preceding week. The Main Market volume expanded to 7.46 billion units worth RM11.37 billion against 6.95 billion units worth RM10.36 billion previously.
Warrants turnover was higher at 5.59 billion units worth RM703.66 million against 5.38 billion units worth RM724.18 million a week ago. The ACE Market volume narrowed to 1.93 billion units valued at RM601.97 million from 1.95 billion units valued at RM499.42 million previously.