KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI ended higher on Friday, tracking firmer regional markets, though gains were capped after a volatile week that saw only two positive sessions.
Dealers said the market’s modest gains were in line with regional optimism, although cautious sentiment persisted amid lingering geopolitical uncertainties and a lack of strong domestic catalysts.
The market barometer rose 5.07 points, or 0.3% to 1,691.31, off its intraday high of 1,692.97. For the week, the index fell 0.25%.
Market breadth was positive, with 663 counters closing higher, compared with 400 decliners and 562 unchanged. A total of 2.9 billion shares worth RM2.6bil were traded.
Among the gainers, F&N rose 72 sen to RM29.80, Malaysian Pacific Industries
gained 46 sen to RM29.80, Sunway Construction added 32 sen to RM6.85 and UWC climbed 24 sen to RM4.38.
In contrast, Nestle slid RM1.10 to RM99, PETRONAS Dagangan lost 60 sen to RM20.80, Kuala Lumpur Kepong eased 26 sen to RM21.94 and QL Resources declined 12 sen to RM3.86.
Among the banks, Maybank was unchanged at RM11.16, CIMB added seven sen to RM7.52 and Public Bank advanced five sen to RM4.65.
RHB Bank rose 15 sen to RM8.15, Hong Leong Bank climbed eight sen to RM22.08, while AmBank slipped one sen to RM6.12.
In terms of fund flows, foreign investors and retailers were net buyers on Thursday, acquiring equities worth RM122mil and RM55mil, respectively.
Local institutions emerged as net sellers, with total disposals valued at RM177mil.
Meanwhile, Brent crude rose US$1.73 to US$97.65 a barrel, while US crude gained US$1.82 to US$99.69 per barrel.
Around the region, MSCI’s Asia ex-Japan stock index climbed 0.85%, with most regional bourses ending higher. Among the key regional markets:
Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed up 1.84% at 56,924.11;
South Korea’s Kospi finished up 1.4% to 5,858.87;
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.55% to 25,893.54;
China’s CSI300 Index added 1.54% to 4,636.57;
Taiwan’s Taiex advanced 1.6% to 35,417.83 and;
Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.25% to 4,989.41 points.
