KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI finished higher on Tuesday, extending gains for a fourth straight session, as investors looked ahead to potential U.S.-Iran peace talks that could ease tensions in the Middle East.
The market barometer closed 13.03 points higher, or 0.77%, at 1,715.33, trading within a 16.10-point range between an intraday high of 1,716.64 and a low of 1,700.54.
Advancing counters outnumbered decliners by 722 to 502, reflecting positive market breadth, while turnover totalled 3.45 billion shares valued at RM3.18bil.
Dealers said buying interest was supported by improving regional sentiment and cautious optimism over potential geopolitical easing, although overall market participation remained selective. They added that gains were largely driven by local institutional support, which helped offset continued foreign outflows.
Reuters reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking a deal to prevent further spikes in oil prices and volatility in equity markets, while maintaining that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
On Bursa Malaysia, Malaysian Pacific Industries
emerged as the top gainer, surging RM2.40 to RM36.60. It was followed by Hong Leong Bank, up 56 sen to RM22.96, Hong Leong Financial Group, which added 46 sen to RM19.34 and Dutch Lady, which gained 36 sen to RM32.38.
On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur Kepong slid 28 sen to RM20.60, F&N fell 26 sen to RM31.20, Bintulu Port lost 24 sen to RM5.35 and PETRONAS Dagangan declined 20 sen to RM20.
Newly listed MTT Shipping and Logistics closed down 2.91%, or three sen to RM1 with 62.13 million shares traded.
In terms of fund flow, foreign funds and retailers were net sellers on Monday, offloading equities worth RM129mil and RM86mil, respectively.
Local institutions turned net buyers, with total purchases amounting to RM215mil.
Meanwhile, the ringgit stood at 3.9540, slipping 0.01% against the US dollar but inching up 0.04% to 3.1083 against the Singapore dollar.
Around the region, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.89% to 59,349.17, while South Korea’s Kospi closed up 2.72% at 6,388.47.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.48% to 26,487.48 and Taiwan’s benchmark index rose 1.12% to a record 37,135.55.
