Bursa Malaysia Edges Higher, Tracking Regional Gains

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia remained in positive territory at midday, mirroring the upbeat performance of regional peers and supported by positive sentiment following Wall Street's strong overnight gains.

At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 15.07 points, or 0.87 per cent, to 1,747.90, up from Friday’s close of 1,732.83.

The index opened 11.91 points higher at 1,744.74 and fluctuated between 1,736.32 and 1,750.02 during the morning session.

Market breadth was positive, with 694 gainers outnumbering 318 decliners. Another 465 counters were unchanged, 1,186 remained untraded, and 18 were suspended.

Turnover totalled 1.83 billion units valued at RM1.30 billion.

FBM KLCI is poised to extend its recovery from 1,719, driven by a record US Dow Jones Industrial Average and gains in Japan’s Nikkei 225, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) said.

"However, upside momentum may be capped by near-term resistances around the 1,755–1,772 band, amid cautious positioning ahead of the Chinese New Year holidays and the February results season.

"This comes alongside lingering volatility in global markets, as rising risk aversion and external uncertainties continue to temper risk appetite," said HLIB.

Meanwhile, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd said investors will focus on fourth-quarter 2025 gross domestic product data due Friday, as well as a heavy slate of US economic releases.

“Wednesday’s nonfarm payrolls are expected to show a 70,000 increase in jobs, followed by Friday’s consumer price index report.

“This could shape expectations for US Federal Reserve policy amid evolving labour market and inflation trends,” it added.

Among heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd and Public Bank Bhd each rose four sen to RM11.98 and RM5.01, respectively. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd gained 12 sen to RM8.58, Tenaga Nasional Bhd added 14 sen to RM14.08, and IHH Healthcare Bhd rose 13 sen to RM8.93.

On the most active list, Zetrix AI Bhd perked 9.5 sen to 78 sen, MMAG Holdings Bhd edged up half a sen to 5.5 sen, Ambest Group Bhd gained 1.5 sen to 36 sen, Capital A Bhd firmed two sen to 59 sen, and Tanco Holdings Bhd climbed three sen to RM1.36.

Top gainers included Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, up 94 sen to RM33.88; United Plantations Bhd, up 70 sen to RM29.70; Allianz Malaysia Bhd, up 56 sen to RM22.76; Hong Leong Industries Bhd, up 46 sen to RM17.30; and Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, up 48 sen to RM33.48.

Leading decliners were Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd, down 50 sen to RM111.80; Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, down 18 sen to RM22.38; and United Malacca Bhd and Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd, down five sen each to RM5.85 and RM1.70, respectively.

On the index board, the FBM Top 100 Index strengthened 121.41 points to 12,592.40, the FBM Emas Index rose 121.89 points to 12,761.58, the FBM Mid 70 Index advanced 226.26 points to 17,460.38, the FBM Emas Shariah Index climbed 136.81 points to 12,242.30, and the FBM ACE Index added 76.62 points to 4,707.41.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index gained 144.46 points to 21,621.40, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 2.72 points to 176.19, the Plantation Index rose 17.77 points to 8,341.40, and the Energy Index increased 4.16 points to 743.17.

-- BERNAMA