FBM KLCI Futures Likely To Trade Range-bound With Upward Bias Next Week

By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) futures contract is likely to stay range-bound next week, with a slight upward bias as bargain-hunting activities continue to emerge.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said market attention is likely to focus on the final phase of the local first quarter of 2026 (1Q 2026) earnings season, where strong earnings expectations from defensive sectors such as banking, plantation and infrastructure may help underpin the market.

“Overall, we anticipate the index to trade within the 1,700-1,730 range,” he told Bernama. 

For the week just ended, the FBM KLCI futures contracts traded mostly lower in tandem with the cash market.

On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the May 2026 contract lost 23.5 points to 1,719.0, the June 2026 contract eased 25.0 points to 1,716.5, the September 2026 contract fell 22.5 points to 1,697.50 and the December 2026 contract slipped 26.0 points to 1,698.50.

Weekly turnover improved to 44,006 lots from 30,788 lots last week, while open interest rose to 43,086 contracts from 36,232 contracts at the preceding week’s close.

The FBM KLCI finished this week 27.55 points weaker at 1,712.67 from 1,740.22 a week earlier.

Bursa Malaysia will be closed on May 27 in conjunction with the Aidiladha public holiday and will resume operations on May 28.

It would also be closed on June 1 and 2 for the King’s Birthday and Wesak Day holidays, before resuming operations on June 3.

-- BERNAMA