Bursa Malaysia opened firmer, tracking steadier global sentiment as US equities posted modest gains overnight amid cautious trading ahead of a packed week of corporate earnings, central bank meetings and geopolitical developments.
The FBM KLCI rose 5.08 points or 0.30% to 1,722.35 at 9.34 am, trading between 1,720.73 and 1,727.72 in early session moves.
Broader market indices also edged higher at the open. The FBM70 gained 9.77 points or 0.05% to 18,178.84 while the FBMEMAS added 30.51 points or 0.24% to 12,746.64. The FBMSHA advanced 21.12 points or 0.17% to 12,681.21 and the F4GBM rose 2.32 points or 0.23% to 1,029.69.
Market breadth was positive with advancers leading decliners 136 to 70, while total market volume stood at 187.37 million shares worth S$188.34 million.
Among the most active stocks, Luster rose 0.005 to 0.045 while UEM Sunrise added 0.035 to 0.625. WCT gained 0.030 to 0.455, while Bintai slipped 0.005 to 0.085.
Top gainers included UMS Integration up 0.210 to 6.750 and VSTECS rising 0.180 to 5.240. KESM added 0.170 to 3.900 while United Plantations gained 0.160 to 31.780. Fraser & Neave climbed 0.120 to 30.800.
On the losers’ list, MPI fell 0.620 to 37.260 while Allianz dropped 0.260 to 20.900. Petronas Dagangan eased 0.220 to 20.100 while Nestlé slipped 0.140 to 98.980 and Riverview declined 0.140 to 2.850.
Sentiment across regional markets was supported by a mild risk-on tone after US equities closed higher overnight. The S&P 500 rose 0.12% while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.20% as investors balanced optimism over earnings with caution ahead of key macroeconomic events including Federal Reserve policy signals and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Oil prices also extended gains on continued supply concerns linked to the US-Iran conflict, with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz keeping energy markets on edge and supporting broader inflation watch themes globally.
