Persistent Buying In Heavyweights Lifts Bursa Malaysia To End At Intraday High

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded from a subdued morning session to close at its intraday high on Thursday, driven by sustained buying interest in selected heavyweights, particularly in the utilities and technology sectors, amid upbeat regional markets.

Additionally, investor confidence was further buoyed by policy clarity following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks during the Budget 2026 engagement session held in Putrajaya, today.

At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 7.63 points or 0.50 per cent to close at 1,549.11 from Wednesday’s close of 1,541.48.

The benchmark index, which opened 0.98 of-a-point lower at 1,540.50, hit its lowest level of 1,537.74 in the morning session before gaining momentum for the rest of the day.

However, the broader market was negative, with decliners beating gainers 517 to 424, while 539 counters were unchanged, 1,025 untraded and nine suspended.

Turnover narrowed to 2.21 billion units worth RM2.35 billion from 2.51 billion units worth RM2.38 billion on Wednesday.

UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd's head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said gains in the FBM KLCI accelerated in the afternoon session, reflecting improved investor sentiment following policy signals from the government and a constructive domestic economic data release.

“The government highlighted three strategic sectors—semiconductors, energy transition, and the Islamic economy—as core pillars of its forthcoming fiscal strategy. 

“The budget consultation solicits feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to inclusive and forward-looking fiscal planning,” he told Bernama.

On the economic front, Malaysia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose by 3.0 per cent year-on-year in June 2025, driven by sustained growth in the manufacturing and electricity sectors.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank and IHH were flat at RM9.63 and RM6.95, respectively, Public Bank eased one sen to RM4.29, CIMB lost three sen to RM6.78, while Tenaga Nasional rose 58 sen to RM13.76.

Of the most active counters, Pharmaniaga, Tanco and Zetrix AI all slipped one sen to 17.5 sen, 77 sen and 86 sen, respectively, while Inari Amertron improved three sen to RM1.89, and Top Glove remained unchanged at 61.5 sen.

Across the broader market, the FBM Emas Index increased 33.64 points to 11,566.54, the FBMT 100 Index rose 36.80 points to 11,340.66, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index advanced 69.57 points to 11,606.16.

The FBM ACE Index improved 29.99 points to 4,630.88 while the FBM 70 Index dipped 30.09 points to 16,528.97.

By sector, the Financial Services Index shaved 48.18 points to 17,494.46 and the Energy Index eased 2.94 points to 734.68, while the Industrial Products and Services Index inched up 0.26 of-a-point to 158.02, and the Plantation Index ticked up 1.03 points to 7,348.74.

The Main Market volume declined to 1.33 billion units valued at RM2.15 billion from 1.49 billion units valued at RM2.17 billion on Wednesday.

Warrants turnover dwindled to 620.69 million units worth RM97.15 million from 751.14 million units worth RM107.82 million previously.

The ACE Market volume slid to 258.67 million units worth RM99.50 million from 274.30 million units worth RM102.55 million yesterday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 162.63 million shares traded on the Main Market; industrial products and services (193.24 million), construction (103.66 million), technology (236.43 million), SPAC (nil), financial services (63.93 million), property (160.86 million), plantation (17.82 million), REITs (27.12 million), closed-end fund (6,500), energy (115.49 million), healthcare (130.37 million), telecommunications and media (22.79 million), transportation and logistics (33.31 million), utilities (60 million), and business trusts (37,700).

-- BERNAMA