KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI extended its winning streak to a fourth session on Wednesday, supported by positive regional cues and a firmer ringgit.
The market barometer closed 2.71 points, or 0.16%, higher at 1,710.91, its highest since February 2019, after trading between an intraday high of 1,711.66 and a low of 1,704.03.
Gainers outpaced decliners, with 664 stocks ending higher against 451 lower, resulting in a market breadth of 1.47, signalling that the bulls maintained control.
Market turnover was brisk, with 3.12 billion shares worth RM3.2bil changing hands.
Dealers said the market was supported by sustained blue-chip buying, underpinned by positive regional cues, although gains were tempered by mild profit-taking.
They added that sentiment is likely to remain cautious in the near term as investors await advance estimates of fourth-quarter 2025 gross domestic product due on Friday.
Among FBM KLCI component stocks, PETRONAS Dagangan was the biggest gainer, rising 3.96% to RM21, followed by MR DIY Group, which gained 3.59% to RM1.73.
On the downside, Gamuda was the biggest loser, falling 2.04% to RM4.81, followed by Sime Darby, which declined 1.9% to RM2.06.
Other gainers included, F&N rose 36 sen to RM36.36, Khind added 24 sen to RM1.60 and Fibromat climbed 20 sen to 85 sen.
United Plantations slid 50 sen to RM33.50, Allianz fell 20 sen to RM20.20 and Hong Leong Industries lost 20 sen to RM16.80.
On the forex market, the ringgit rose 0.25% to its highest in a week at 4.0477 against the US dollar. So far this year, the ringgit has appreciated 0.32%.
The local unit also gained 0.34% to 3.1423 against the Singapore dollar, strengthened 0.48% to 4.7136 versus the euro, and rose 0.5% to 5.4426 against the pound sterling.
According to data on Bursa Malaysia, foreign investors continued to buy into local stocks on Tuesday, acquiring RM69mil worth of equities.
Local institutions and retailers sold equities worth RM48mil and RM22mil respectively.
Meanwhile, most emerging Asian equities rose on Wednesday, with Taiwan, Indonesia and South Korea hitting record highs, Reuters reported.
South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.65% to 4,723.10, while Taiwan’s Taiex rose 0.76% to 30,941.78.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 1.48% to 54,341.23 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 0.56% to 26,999.81.
In contrast, China’s CSI300 fell 0.4% to 4,741.93, while the Shanghai Composite slipped 0.31% to 4,126.09.
