Bursa Malaysia Rises 0.47 Pct At Midday On Regional Optimism

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia's main index closed the morning session higher, mirroring positive sentiment across regional markets.

At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 7.67 points, or 0.47 per cent, to 1,611.65 from Friday’s close of 1,603.98.

The benchmark index opened 3.77 points up at 1,607.75 and traded within a range of 1,607.75 to 1,615.95 through the morning.

Market breadth was positive, with 464 gainers outpacing 441 decliners. Another 446 counters were unchanged, 1,050 untraded, and 30 suspended.

Turnover reached 1.45 billion shares worth RM1.05 billion.

Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said that despite ongoing market volatility, the weaker ringgit at RM4.375 per US dollar could boost sentiment in export-oriented sectors such as gloves and technology.

“Additionally, the plantation sector is likely to trend positively in line with rising crude palm oil prices, while the oil and gas sector could benefit from the rebound in oil prices amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

“For defensive plays, we favour the consumer sector, with companies like MR DIY and 99 Speedmart offering attractive options,” it said.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank and CIMB Group each rose 6.0 sen to RM10.46 and RM8.01, respectively, while Tenaga Nasional surged 14.0 sen to RM14.04. 

Public Bank dropped 7.0 sen to RM4.39, and IHH Healthcare fell 4.0 sen to RM7.24.

Among actives, Cape EMS rose 3.0 sen to 34 sen, Sorento Capital added 2.0 sen to 39.5 sen, and Bahvest Resources advanced 6.5 sen to 90.5 sen.

Hong Seng remained flat at 1.0 sen, while Ta Win Holdings slipped half-a-sen to 2.0 sen.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index rose 57.76 points to 12,186.10, the FBMT 100 Index gained 57.41 points to 11,897.20, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index advanced 82.68 points to 12,185.12.

The FBM 70 Index surged 88.57 points to 17,767.50, while the FBM ACE Index increased 16.88 points to 5,013.23.

Sector-wise, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 1.08 points to 174.65, the Energy Index added 0.78 of-a-point to 839.58, and the Plantation Index jumped 92.85 points to 7,549.22.

However, the Financial Services Index fell 2.84 points to 19,001.92.

Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd announced in a statement that DS Sigma Holdings Bhd’s shares will be transferred from the ACE Market to the Main Market under the “Industrial Products and Services” sector, effective Nov 6.

-- BERNAMA

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