The stock market ended the trading session on a mixed note, with selective buying concentrated in plantation, consumer staples, and technology-related counters, while selling pressure weighed on energy, insurance, and some mid-cap names. Overall sentiment remained stock-specific, with limited broad-based momentum.
Top gainers were headed by Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd (MPI, 3867), which rose 88 sen to RM47.56 on volume of 617,900 shares, supported by renewed interest in chip‑related names. Nestlé (M) Bhd followed up 72 sen to RM94.50 with 356,800 shares changing hands, as defensive flows lifted large‑cap consumer counters.
Other notable winners included Batu Kawan Bhd, which gained 52 sen to RM20.80 on light turnover of 53,700 shares, and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, which added 46 sen to RM20.94 with 671,100 shares traded. Pentamaster Corporation Bhd also outperformed, rising 31 sen to RM4.37 on heavy activity of 6,536,500 shares.
On the downside, energy and plantation counters led losses. Petronas Dagangan Bhd headed the decliners, plunging 92 sen to RM17.72 on a volume of 2,444,700 shares amid profit‑taking.
United Plantations Bhd eased 70 sen to RM31.60 with 306,000 shares traded. Smaller names Ideal Capital Bhd (IDEAL, 9687) and Allianz Malaysia Bhd fell 60 sen and 40 sen, respectively, while Ajinomoto slipped 36 sen to RM14.72 on moderate turnover.
Market analysts noted that the session reflected rotational trading, with investors selectively accumulating plantation and tech-related stocks while locking in profits in energy and insurance names. Overall breadth remained uneven, pointing to a cautious but opportunistic trading environment.
