KUALA LUMPUR — Shares on Bursa Malaysia finished broadly higher on Thursday, lifted by gains in the technology, healthcare and banking sectors.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 16.93 points, or 1.04 per cent, to 1,637.80, compared with Wednesday’s close of 1,620.87.
The benchmark index opened 0.81 of-a-point higher at 1,621.68, and moved between 1,621.68 and 1,640.17 throughout the trading session.
Across the broader market, gainers thumped decliners 854 to 355, while 491 counters were unchanged, 873 untraded, and 16 suspended.
Turnover expanded to 4.27 billion units valued at RM3.92 billion, from 2.47 billion units worth RM2.48 billion on Wednesday.
Rakuten Trade vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI ended sharply higher as the market sentiment continued to show signs of improvement.
Key regional benchmarks also trended higher, boosted by advances in technology and healthcare, and stronger local currencies against the US dollar.
He noted that the FBM KLCI had posted a solid performance so far this week, breaking past the 1,620-1,625 levels on strong trading volumes, reflecting growing confidence in the index’s ability to sustain its upward trajectory. With the participation gradually improving and the market breadth showing signs of recovery, the outlook remains positive, he said.
“Nonetheless, we do not rule out the possibility of near-term profit-taking as some investors may look to lock in gains. Such activity, however, should be viewed as a healthy part of the market cycle, especially following a sharp climb,” Thong told Bernama, anticipating the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,620-1,650 towards the weekend.
Mohd Sedek Jantan, IPPFA Sdn Bhd’s director of investment strategy and country economist, said that despite today’s upbeat sentiment, he would maintain a measured stance. “We continue to hold our year-end FBM KLCI target for now, but we may revisit it in November, taking into account three key events - the tabling of Budget 2026 next week, the two remaining US Federal Reserve meetings before year-end, and Bank Negara Malaysia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in November,” he said.
