BURSA MALAYSIA LIKELY TO BE DATA-DEPENDENT AHEAD OF FOMC MEETING NEXT WEEK

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia is expected to be in a data-dependent mode as markets position ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Dec 9-10, said IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan. 

He said that although markets have priced in an 87 per cent probability of a 25-basis-point cut, attention is shifting toward the increasing uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy path in early 2026.

“This uncertainty stems from the widening divide between hawkish and dovish members within the committee -- a divergence that now carries meaningful implications for market expectations,” he told Bernama. 

However, Mohd Sedek said overall sentiment is likely to remain sensitive to external catalysts, including US macro data and any shift in the Fed’s forward guidance.

“In sum, the outlook for next week points to a more tactical, rotation-driven environment for Bursa Malaysia.

“With global policy signals and currency dynamics continuing to influence investor behaviour, market participants are likely to stay selective while maintaining a tilt toward sectors offering defensive strength, currency-supported fundamentals, or clearer earnings momentum into year-end,” he added.

On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the FBM KLCI rose 12.05 points to 1,616.52 from last week's 1,604.47. 

For the index board, the FBM Emas Index added 46.26 points to 11,962.23, the FBMT 100 Index gained 42.85 points to 11,743.82, but the FBM Emas Shariah Index slid 53.85 points to 11,797.05, the FBM ACE Index eased 8.48 points to 4,816.14, and the FBM 70 Index dipped 133.47 points to 16,722.61.

By sector, the Financial Services Index jumped 435.38 points to 19,011.33, the Plantation Index perked up 24.13 points to 8,096.25, the Energy Index added 10.76 points to 758.54, and the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 1.75 points to 165.78. 

Weekly turnover declined to 18.86 billion units worth RM13.40 billion from 22.37 billion units worth RM17.23 billion a week ago.

The Main Market volume weakened to 7.01 billion units worth RM11.41 billion versus 8.55 billion units worth RM14.56 billion previously.

Warrants turnover shed to 10.05 billion units valued at RM1.37 billion against last week's 11.74 billion units valued at RM1.99 billion.

The ACE Market volume trimmed to 1.78 billion units valued at RM602.06 million from 2.07 billion units valued at RM675.40 million a week ago.

-- BERNAMA