The stock market ended the trading session on a firmer note, with blue-chip and index-linked counters leading gains amid selective buying in consumer staples, banking, plantation, and technology-related stocks.
At the closing bell, sentiment was supported by sustained accumulation in heavyweight names, particularly across defensive and financial sectors, while profit-taking in select industrial and consumer counters kept gains measured.
Leading the gainers was Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd, which rose RM1.20 to RM95.70 on 101,100 shares traded, supported by continued defensive flows into large-cap consumer stocks. United Plantations Bhd followed, advancing 60 sen to RM32.10 on 379,000 shares, reflecting steady interest in plantation counters.
Financial stocks also contributed to the upside, with Hong Leong Bank Bhd gaining 32 sen to RM21.98 on 38,970 lots, while Malayan Banking Bhd climbed 28 sen to RM11.20 on a heavy 1,076,090 lots, underscoring strong liquidity in the banking sector.
Technology-related MPI also edged higher, rising 30 sen to RM49.30 on 3,296 lots, as chip-related sentiment remained supportive.
On the downside, losses were relatively contained but included selective profit-taking in key counters. Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd slipped 40 sen to RM32.40 on 5,600 shares, while Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd declined 26 sen to RM8.14 despite heavy turnover of 2,187,420 shares, reflecting ongoing pressure in industrial metals.
Other decliners included Negri Sembilan Oil Palms Bhd, which fell 18 sen to RM5.24, Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, which eased 16 sen to RM15.24, and UMS Integration Ltd, which slipped 15 sen to RM8.55.
Despite pockets of weakness, overall market tone remained constructive, underpinned by strength in blue-chip banking and defensive consumer names alongside selective interest in plantation and semiconductor-related stocks.
