KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI ended the first trading day of the month higher, tracking firmer regional markets as investors cautiously reassessed risk after market jitters a day earlier.
The 30-stock index settled 7.38 points, or 0.42%, higher at 1,748.26 after hitting an intraday high of 1,757.51.
Broader market sentiment remained cautious, with losers outnumbering gainers as 662 stocks closed lower while 464 finished higher. Traded volume stood at 3.24 billion shares valued at RM3.34bil.
Dealers said sentiment improved cautiously, supported by firmer performances across key regional markets, although trading remained selective.
They added that investors remained watchful of global monetary policy signals, keeping risk appetite in check.
Markets rattled a day earlier steadied on Tuesday, with emerging Asian equities finding their footing after US President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chair.
Among the gainers, Malaysian Pacific Industries
jumped RM1.06 to RM33.06, UWC rose 31 sen to RM4.40, Hong Leong Financial Group added 28 sen to RM22.62, while Allianz-PA climbed 28 sen to RM22.16.
On the downside, United Plantations slid RM1.06 to RM29.18, Fraser & Neave Holdings fell 96 sen to RM34.80, PETRONAS Dagangan eased 88 sen to RM20.32, while Hong Leong Bank lost 82 sen to RM24.98.
Meanwhile, the ringgit strengthened to 3.9272 against the US dollar, up 0.5%, and edged 0.3% higher versus the Singapore dollar to 3.0930.
Across the region, MSCI’s Asia ex-Japan stock index rose 2.77%, with most regional bourses ending higher.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 3.92% to 54,720.66 in its biggest daily gain since October 25.
South Korea’s Kospi surged 6.84% to 5,288.08, marking its highest close on record and its biggest daily percentage gain since March 24, 2020.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended 0.22% higher at 26,834.77, while China’s CSI300 index rose 1.18% to 4,660.11, and the Shanghai Composite gained 1.29% to 4,067.74.
