Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia is anticipated to advance towards the 1,590 resistance level in the coming week, driven by global risk sentiment and developments in semiconductor tariffs, as stated by an analyst.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Sedek Jantan, head of investment research at UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd, noted that the timing of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend may impact Malaysia's equity market when trading resumes. Domestically, the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) project allocations and the approaching Budget 2026 will steer the investment narrative, with discussions potentially acting as precursors to future fiscal policy directions.
Mohd Sedek further highlighted that Malaysia's July Consumer Price Index (CPI), set for release on Friday, August 22, will provide insights into the impact of the expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) regime. The CPI is projected to rise to between 1.2 and 1.3 percent year-on-year, up from June's 1.1 percent, with core inflation expected to remain stable.
Globally, investor focus will be on the Federal Open Market Committee minutes and the Jackson Hole Symposium, both seen as possible triggers for policy-rate expectation adjustments. There has been increased signaling from Washington, with a more assertive communication approach from the Trump administration compared to the Federal Reserve's data-dependent stance. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has advocated for a significant interest rate cut, reflecting a strategy to influence Federal Reserve policy.
In the weekly performance, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI climbed 19.36 points to 1,576.34, with other indices such as the FBM Emas Index and FBMT 100 Index also showing gains. Sector-wise, the Financial Services, Plantation, and Energy indices experienced increases. However, weekly turnover saw a drop to 11.10 billion units worth RM11.87 billion, with the Main Market and warrants experiencing decreased volumes, while the ACE Market volume grew.