KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade within a narrow band from Monday (July 13) as investors navigate a packed calendar ahead of key economic data releases amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty.
IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said investors' attention will focus on the United States’ June Consumer Price Index (CPI) next Tuesday, followed by China’s second-quarter gross domestic product on Wednesday, the US June 2026 retail sales on Thursday and Malaysia’s June CPI on Friday.
"While these releases will provide important insights into the strength of global demand, inflation trends and domestic economic conditions, they are unlikely to materially alter the monetary policy outlook.
"We believe the US Federal Reserve will maintain its policy rate through year-end, while Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is expected to keep the OPR unchanged at 2.75 per cent, allowing investors to focus more on growth prospects, corporate earnings and capital flows rather than policy repricing,” he told Bernama.
Mohd Sedek said geopolitical developments in West Asia will continue to be the dominant driver of investor sentiment next week.
"Any renewed escalation or prolonged conflict could tighten global energy supply expectations, reignite inflation concerns and weaken global risk appetite.
"Nevertheless, the moderation in oil prices suggests that financial markets are not currently pricing in a severe supply disruption, providing some support for broader market stability,” he said.
On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the key index advanced 12.44 points to 1,691.49 from 1,679.05 a week earlier.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index jumped 66.80 points to 12,523.81, the FBMT 100 Index widened 71.03 points to 12,354.33, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index climbed 81.38 points to 12,373.61.
The FBM Mid 70 Index rose 18.11 points to 17,858.47, while the FBM ACE Index slid 1.18 points to 4,893.43.
By sector, the Plantation Index surged 232.77 points to 9,202.31, the Energy Index gained 10.22 points to 768.82, the Financial Services Index garnered 89.70 points to 19,921.66, and the Industrial Products and Services Index perked up 0.14 of a point to 182.58.
Weekly turnover increased to 13.83 billion units worth RM10.37 billion from 13.63 billion units worth RM11.11 billion a week earlier.
The Main Market volume declined to 5.85 billion units valued at RM8.75 billion against 6.73 billion units valued at RM9.72 billion previously.
Warrants turnover advanced to 5.41 billion units worth RM727.57 million versus 4.29 billion units worth RM529.34 million last week.
The ACE Market volume trimmed to 2.56 billion units valued at RM884.55 million compared with 2.60 billion units valued at RM860.50 million in the previous week. -- BERNAMA
