FBM KLCI FUTURES EXPECTED TO MOVE IN TIGHT RANGE NEXT WEEK

By Zufazlin Baharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives is expected to trade in a tight range due to the holiday-shortened trading period amid the festive season.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng anticipates the FBM KLCI will trade within a range of 1,560-1,580.

“We expect next week's trading to be quiet due to the Chinese New Year holidays, tracking the underlying cash market and keeping the index within a tight range,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan Next said that the market is expected to adopt a cautious stance next week as investors await the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

"The shortened trading week will likely dampen market activity, with muted volumes and limited movements anticipated," he added.

For the week just ended, January 2025 shed 7.5 points to 1,559.5, February 2025 fell nine points to 1,561.5, March 2025 decreased eight points to 1,544.5, and June 2025 contracts declined by 9.5 points to 1,552.0.

Turnover rose to 72,443 lots from 46,659 lots the previous week, while open interest increased to 70,293 contracts from 44,886 contracts.

On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the key index gained 7.01 points to 1,573.73 from 1,566.72 the previous week.

-- BERNAMA