KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI left an upside gap in its wake as investors flocked into local equities amid hopes the Trump administration was looking to quickly end the West Asian conflict.
Riding on the coat-tails of Wall Street's overnight surge, the Malaysian benchmark jumped over 25 points to 1,715.94, erasing all the losses made in the first half of the week.
Bank shares, which were among the worst-hit due to anxieties over the impact of the oil shortage on the global economy, roared back. Maybank gained 18 sen to RM11.54, CIMB jumped 15 sen to RM7.70 and Public Bank climbed six sen to RM4.74.
As Brent crude futures dove nearly 12% to US$104.53, traders took profit out of PETRONAS Chemicals, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the energy crisis, shedding 20 sen to RM5.87.
"Global sentiment is showing tentative signs of improvement as prospects of deescalation in the Middle East build, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressing willingness to end the conflict subject to assurances, while US President Donald Trump signalled a potential military withdrawal in two or three weeks," said Apex Research its daily outlook.
However, the research firm noted that uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz still persists.
"On the local front, we remain cautious on the Malaysian market in the near term amid expectations of continued global volatility. Investors are likely to stay defensive and selective, favouring commodity-linked sectors as a hedge against external risks."
It remained favourable on the energy sector amid the Middle East tension, with upstream oil and gas benefiting form the higher crude prices, supporting near-term earnings.
Meanwhile, plantations are seeing indirect support from firmer biofuel demand, while defensive utilities remains attractive as investors seek stability amid heightened volatility.
TA Securities said in its own report that the overnight rally should cushion the lacklustre local market today, but added the undertone remains cautious as Middle East concerns persist.
"Immediate support for the index stays at the January 2026 low (1,666), with stronger support seen at the 76.4%FR (1,610), followed by the 61.8%FR (1,564). Meanwhile, immediate resistance is maintained at the 123.6%FP (1,759), with the next upside hurdle at the 138.2%FP (1,804), followed by tougher resistance at the 150%FP (1,841)."
