KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI closed at its highest in over six years, extending its rally in line with improved risk appetite amid a broad-based regional advance.
The market barometer rose 8.9 points, or 0.53%, to 1,695.44, its highest level since February 2019. The index touched an intraday high of 1,697.78 and a low of 1,686.57.
Gainers outnumbered losers by 641 to 467, while 534 counters traded unchanged. Overall turnover was active, with 3.1 billion shares traded for a value of RM2.72bil.
Despite the sharp advances, dealers said investors remained cautious, keeping a close watch on global macroeconomic developments and forthcoming key US economic data.
They added that investors were also watching developments at the Federal Reserve, after Chair Jerome Powell came under fresh pressure from the US Justice Department amid renewed criticism from Donald Trump’s administration.
On the external front, Asian markets closed higher, led by Japan’s Nikkei 225, which rose 1.61% to 51,939.89, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.84% to 4,624.79.
China's blue-chip CSI300 Index closed 0.65% higher at 4,789.92 while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.1% to 4,165.29, its its highest since July 2015.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 1.44% to 26,608.48.
On Bursa Malaysia, United Plantations surged RM1.68 to RM35, F&N added 66 sen to RM36.66, PETRONAS Dagangan climbed 50 sen to RM20.68 and Hong Leong Financial Group rose 34 sen to RM20.08.
Nestle slid RM1 to RM120, Malaysian Pacific Industries
fell 32 sen to RM32.98, Far East lost 30 sen to RM4.10 and BLD Plantation declined 20 sen to RM15.60.
Among FBM KLCI component stocks, MR DIY led the gainers, rising 3.16% to RM1.63, followed by SD Guthrie, which added 2.78% to RM5.91. Meanwhile, PETRONAS Chemicals was the biggest laggard, falling 1.83% to RM3.22.
