The stock market ended the trading session on a mixed note, with technology and selected industrial counters providing support while weakness in consumer and plantation-related stocks weighed on sentiment.
At the closing bell, investors remained selective, favouring semiconductor-linked and construction-related names while taking profits in several defensive counters following recent gains.
Leading the gainers was Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, which rose 70 sen to RM46.72 on 445,300 shares traded, as semiconductor-related stocks continued to attract interest.
Kelington Group Bhd followed, advancing 52 sen to RM8.72 on heavy turnover of 3,698,700 shares, reflecting sustained activity in industrial technology-related counters.
Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd added 32 sen to RM27.82 on 38,700 shares, while Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd gained 32 sen to RM21.32 on 321,600 shares, supported by selective buying in plantation-linked names. Petronas Dagangan Bhd also climbed 26 sen to RM19.70 on 283,500 shares.
On the downside, Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd led the decliners, easing 90 sen to RM101.80 on 76,800 shares, as investors locked in profits from defensive consumer stocks. Hong Leong Industries Bhd slipped 16 sen to RM17.84 on 60,700 shares, while United Plantations Bhd declined 16 sen to RM34.04 on 342,500 shares.
Gas Malaysia Bhd fell 12 sen to RM5.05 on 503,200 shares, while Kim Loong Resources Bhd also shed 12 sen to RM2.66 on heavier turnover of 1,655,500 shares.
Market analysts noted that the session reflected continued rotation into technology and selected industrial counters, while defensive consumer and plantation names faced mild profit-taking. Overall sentiment remained cautious, with investors focusing on sector-specific opportunities amid uneven market breadth.
