KUALA LUMPUR: The local bourse saw choppy trading in early trade, with investors treading cautiously amid mixed cues from both regional and global markets
The FBM KLCI edged up 1.37 points, or 0.08%, to 1,718.05 at 9.17 am, after opening 2.78 points higher at 1,719.46.
Overnight, Wall Street closed higher as oil prices declined and Iran reviewed a US proposal to end the Middle East conflict, lifting hopes of de-escalation.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.66% to 46,429.49, the S&P 500 gained 0.54% to 6,591.90, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.77% to 21,929.83.
Rakuten Trade expects bargain hunting to emerge at current levels, with the index likely to hover within the 1,710–1,720 range today.
Meanwhile, Berjaya Research maintains a mildly positive near-term outlook for the FBM KLCI, supported by improving regional sentiment and a gradual return of risk appetite as geopolitical tensions ease.
“This could encourage selective accumulation, particularly on index-linked heavyweights and sectors tied to domestic growth resilience.
“Nevertheless, upside momentum is likely to remain measured rather than aggressive, as investors continue to balance optimism with caution over the lingering uncertainties,” the research house said.
From a technical perspective, Berjaya Research noted that the FBM KLCI gapped up to end slightly higher and may look to extend its gains from the previous session.
“A successful breakout above the 1,720 points resistance could pave the way towards the next resistance located at 1,737 points to be retested.
“Meanwhile, the 1,708 level serves as the near-term support, followed by the 1,700 psychological level,” it said.
On Bursa Malaysia, Allianz led the gainers, rising 36 sen to RM21.06. Other advancers included PETRONAS Chemicals, which gained 25 sen to RM5.71, PETRONAS Dagangan, up 14 sen to RM21.74, and Hong Leong Financial Group, which climbed 12 sen to RM19.68.
Among decliners, Heineken fell 24 sen to RM22.80, Nestle lost 18 sen to RM97.82, KGB-WB dropped 12 sen to RM3.55 and Carimin Petroleum slid 10 sen to 34 sen.
