KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI slid slightly in early Thuesday trade following a weak overnight performance on Wall Street as a strong payrolls report sapped expectations for interest rate cuts.
After closing at a two-week high yesterday, the FBM KLCI slid a modest 1.3 points to 1,755.09 as traders hold on to gains amid a rally in local equities and a ringgit that is at its strongest in nearly eight years.
Still ahead this week, Malaysia is expected to release its economic report for the fourth quarter of 2025. “The local bourse will likely remain range-bound as investors await Malaysia’s upcoming GDP data for cues on the country’s economic outlook and future policy direction,” said TA Securities in its market commentary.
Apex Securities noted in its own report that the investor sentiment is weighed down by heightened external volatility and policy uncertainty.
“The investor focus is now centred on a series of critical US economic data points, including initial jobless claims and existing home sales, which are expected to offer further clarity on the monetary policy trajectory,” it said.
“Meanwhile, continued foreign inflows and rotation into Asian markets should help cushion weakness, underpinning demand for large-cap defensives and earnings-visible names, particularly in the financials, utilities and selective technology stocks.”
Among the blue chips, Gamuda slipped five sne to RM4.06, PPB shed eight sen t0 RM11.02 and MR DIY dropped three sen to RM1.83.
Holding on to upside momentum, Hong Leong Bank jumped 12 sen to RM24.92 while PETRONAS Gas added six sen to RM18.30.
Among actives, ACE Market debutant Kee Ming surged 46.5 sen to 84.5 sen on 43.63 million shares done. TWL rose 0.5 sen to 2.5 sen and MMAG was flat at 4.5 sen.
