BURSA MALAYSIA EXTENDS GAINS FOR SECOND DAY

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia extended its upward momentum for a second consecutive day, driven by a firmer ringgit, renewed optimism across selected sectors, and growing expectations that the United States (US) government shutdown will soon be resolved.

At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increased 7.45 points, or 0.46 per cent, to 1,634.83 from yesterday’s close of 1,627.38.

The barometer index opened 4.14 points higher at 1,631.52, and moved between 1,630.77 and 1,642.90 throughout the trading session.

However, the broader market was negative, with 560 losers outnumbering 537 gainers, while 588 counters were unchanged, 989 untraded, and 10 suspended.

Turnover fell to 3.53 billion units worth RM2.85 billion compared with 4.0 billion units worth RM2.29 billion on Monday.

IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan stated that after months of subdued performance, the local equity market appears to be entering a late-year recovery phase.

Over the past ten months, the index had largely remained in negative territory, weighed down by persistent external headwinds.

“If this positive momentum continues, underpinned by a firm ringgit, easing global concerns over an AI-driven market bubble, and improving sentiment following the anticipated resolution of the US shutdown, the FBM KLCI stands a stronger chance of closing the year in positive territory,” he told Bernama.

Concurring with Mohd Sedek, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index continues its upward trajectory, buoyed by persistent buying amid the positive sentiment across the region. 

Among heavyweights, Maybank fell three sen to RM9.91, while Public Bank added three sen to RM4.30, CIMB rose seven sen to RM7.65, Tenaga Nasional gained four sen to RM13.38, and IHH Healthcare was eight sen firmer at RM8.30.

On the most active list, MMAG and TWL fell half-a-sen to 9.0 sen and 2.5 sen, respectively. Zetrix AI and Pharmaniaga were flat at 85.5 sen and 26 sen, respectively, and IOI Corporation increased by three sen to RM4.10.

Among the top gainers, Fraser & Neave went up RM1.44 to RM30.20, United Plantations rose 42 sen to RM25.80, PJBumi soared 36 sen to RM1.58, and Malaysian Pacific Industries improved 30 sen to RM31.40. 

As for the top losers, UMS Integration sank 24 sen to RM4.52, Westports slipped 15 sen to RM5.30, and both Sunway Construction and MISC shed 13 sen to RM5.53 and RM7.74, respectively.

On the index board, the FBMT 100 Index garnered 29.74 points to 11,872.36, the FBM Emas Index advanced 29.72 points to 12,114.31, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index climbed 21.41 points to 12,132.83.

The FBM ACE Index gave up 25.13 points to 5,075.72 and the FBM Mid 70 Index dropped 63.99 points to 16,885.73.

Sector-wise, the Plantation Index rose 56.08 points to 8,176.40, the Financial Services Index expanded 31.66 points to 18,443.89, while the Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.60 of-a-point to 168.28, and the Energy Index slipped 1.36 points to 759.34.

The Main Market volume expanded to 1.55 billion units valued at RM2.49 billion from 1.29 billion units valued at RM1.77 billion on Monday.

Warrants turnover declined to 1.42 billion units worth RM213.42 million compared with 1.88 billion units worth RM347.0 million previously.

The ACE Market volume tumbled to 550.85 million units valued at RM149.32 million from 821.51 million units valued at RM172.37 million yesterday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 229.34 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (254.46 million), construction (119.87 million), technology (284.61 million), financial services (62.01 million), property (171.31 million), plantation (98.34 million), real estate investment trusts (32.09 million), closed-end fund (12,100), energy (103.10 million), healthcare (78.96 million), telecommunications and media (56.17 million), transportation and logistics (35.14 million), utilities (30.48 million), and business trusts (nil).

-- BERNAMA