KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session slightly higher on Thursday, reflecting resilience amid upbeat regional performance, despite pressure from escalating global trade tensions.
At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.62 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 1,545.10 from Wednesday’s close of 1,541.48.
The benchmark index had earlier opened 0.98 of a point lower at 1,540.50 and moved between 1,537.74 and 1,545.88 throughout the morning session.
However, market breadth was negative, with 471 decliners outpacing 321 gainers. Another 462 counters were unchanged, 1,251 untraded and nine suspended.
Turnover stood at 1.28 billion securities worth RM1.07 billion.
Apex Securities Bhd said the FBM KLCI demonstrated underlying resilience as the index continued to consolidate within the 1,540-1,550 range, in line with prevailing cautious sentiment.
"We believe the technology sector may come under pressure following reports that the United States (US) intends to impose a 100 per cent tariff on semiconductor imports. In contrast, bargain hunting may emerge in the Energy sector, supported by a rebound in crude oil prices.
"Investors will also turn their focus to upcoming key events, including US weekly jobless claims, the Bank of England’s interest rate decision, and Malaysia’s industrial production data due later today,” the brokerage said in a note today.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank gained one sen to RM9.64, Tenaga Nasional advanced 44 sen to RM13.62, while Public Bank fell three sen to RM4.27, and CIMB lost five sen to RM6.76. IHH Healthcare was flat at RM6.95.
In active trade, Pharmaniaga
and Dagang Nexchange dipped half a sen each to 18 sen and 26 sen respectively, Zetrix AI shed one sen to 86 sen, while Inari Amertron improved three sen to RM1.89, and Tanco remained unchanged at 78 sen.
Across the broader market, the FBM Emas Index strengthened 14.33 points to 11,547.23, the FBMT 100 Index climbed 16.97 points to 11,320.83, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 52.77 points to 11,589.36.
The FBM ACE Index bagged 4.68 points to 4,605.57, while the FBM 70 Index declined 17.19 points to 16,541.87.
By sector, the Financial Services Index declined 84.25 points to 17,458.39, the Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.08 of a point to 157.68, the Energy Index slid 4.18 points to 733.44, and the Plantation Index fell 4.73 points to 7,342.98. - Bernama
