Bursa Malaysia Closes Broadly Higher, FBM KLCI Bounces Over One Pct

By Rosemarie Khoo Mohd Sani

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Shares on Bursa Malaysia finished broadly higher on Thursday, lifted by gains in the technology, healthcare and banking sectors. 

At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 16.93 points, or 1.04 per cent, to 1,637.80,  compared with Wednesday’s close of 1,620.87.

The benchmark index opened 0.81 of-a-point higher at 1,621.68, and moved between 1,621.68 and 1,640.17 throughout the trading session.

Across the broader market, gainers thumped decliners 854 to 355, while 491 counters were unchanged, 873 untraded, and 16 suspended.

Turnover expanded to 4.27 billion units valued at RM3.92 billion, from 2.47 billion units worth RM2.48 billion on Wednesday.

Rakuten Trade vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI ended sharply higher as the market sentiment continued to show signs of improvement.

Key regional benchmarks also trended higher, boosted by advances in technology and healthcare, and stronger local currencies against the US dollar.

He noted that the FBM KLCI had posted a solid performance so far this week, breaking past the 1,620-1,625 levels on strong trading volumes, reflecting growing confidence in the index’s ability to sustain its upward trajectory. With the participation gradually improving and the market breadth showing signs of recovery, the outlook remains positive, he said.

“Nonetheless, we do not rule out the possibility of near-term profit-taking as some investors may look to lock in gains. Such activity, however, should be viewed as a healthy part of the market cycle, especially following a sharp climb,” Thong told Bernama, anticipating the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,620-1,650 towards the weekend.

Mohd Sedek Jantan, IPPFA Sdn Bhd’s director of investment strategy and country economist, said that despite today’s upbeat sentiment, he would maintain a measured stance.  “We continue to hold our year-end FBM KLCI target for now, but we may revisit it in November, taking into account three key events - the tabling of Budget 2026 next week, the two remaining US Federal Reserve meetings before year-end, and Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in November,” he said.

These developments, he added, would be critical in shaping the market direction and sentiment going into the final quarter of the year. “While the near-term momentum is constructive, we caution that lingering risks, such as the trajectory of US monetary policy, domestic policy execution, and broader geopolitical uncertainties could temper market performance,” he advised.

Looking ahead, he said these catalysts collectively point to a brighter near-term outlook, which should continue to support capital flows. “Nevertheless, we encourage investors to remain disciplined, secure profits where appropriate, and avoid excessive fear of missing out (FOMO)-driven positioning,” Mohd Sedek added. 

Among the heavyweights, IHH Healthcare rallied 32 sen to RM8.26, Tenaga jumped 36 sen to RM13.46, and 99 Speed Mart Retail gained seven sen to RM2.88. AMMB bounced 13 sen to RM5.85, and YTL Power International bagged nine sen to RM4.31. 

In active trade, VS Industry and Borneo Oil were both flat at 60 sen and half-a-sen respectively, while ACE Market debutant Camaroe added one sen to 15 sen. Pharmaniaga lost half-a-sen to 28 sen, Tanco gave up one sen to 90 sen, and CBH Engineering grew six sen to 53 sen.

Other top gainers included Malaysian Pacific Industries, which surged RM2.84 up to RM31.74 while Sam Engineering & Equipment rallied 37 sen to RM4.28 and Allianz added 34 sen to RM18.74.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index popped 134.93 points to 12,190.70, the FBMT 100 Index advanced 131.20 points to 11,920.74, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index gained 143.63 points to 12,222.03.

The FBM 70 Index leapt 222.60 points to 17,071.48, and the FBM ACE Index rallied 117.53 points to 5,320.81.

By sector, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 1.69 points to 174.19, the Energy Index was 4.81 points higher at 783.16, and the Plantation Index grew 15.44 points to 7,803.55. The Financial Services Index bounced 169.05 points to 18,578.82.

Main Market volume widened to 2.35 billion units worth RM3.49 billion, versus 1.65 billion units valued at RM2.27 billion on Wednesday.

Warrant turnover accelerated to 1.18 billion units valued at RM167.26 million, compared with 288.42 million units worth RM27.59 million yesterday.

The ACE Market volume soared to 738.33 million shares worth RM259.22 million, against 531.81 million shares valued at RM184.26 million previously.

On the Main Market, consumer products and services counters accounted for 332.04 million shares traded, followed by industrial products and services (544.96 million), construction (137.83 million), technology (490.48 million), financial services (90.96 million), property (186.15 million), plantation (28.26 million), REITs (17.98 million), closed/fund (55,900), energy (129.00 million), healthcare (217.59 million), telecommunications and media (61.14 million), transportation and logistics (52.90 million), utilities (63.90 million), and business trusts (66,600).

-- BERNAMA