Bursa Malaysia ends mixed in choppy trading

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended a choppy but directionless trading session, with the index moving in a narrow range, amid global uncertainties, as investors refrained from taking long positions.
At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) reversed earlier losses to settle 0.31 of-a-point, or 0.02 per cent, higher at 1,511.95 from Tuesday's close of 1,511.64.
The benchmark index opened 0.25 of-a-point higher at 1,511.89 and fluctuated between 1,509.42 and 1,512.96 throughout the trading session.
The broader market was however negative, with 488 decliners outnumbering 361 gainers. A total of 503 counters were unchanged, 1,054 untraded and 13 suspended.
Turnover declined to 2.42 billion units valued at RM1.79 billion compared with Tuesday's 3.03 billion units worth RM1.92 billion.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said key regional indices finished broadly lower as geopolitical tensions escalated over potential involvement of the US in the Israel-Iran conflict.
Risk appetite declined amid reports that US President Donald Trump had met with senior advisers to review military options, including possible strikes on Iran.
"Locally, we maintain our cautious stance due to the escalation geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
"We are hopeful that Israel and Iran will engage in peace talks to ease tensions and restore confidence among local investors," he told Bernama.
Thong noted that buying opportunities may emerge in oil and gas and plantation stocks.
"For the moment, we maintain our weekly FBM KLCI target at the 1,500-1,530 range," he said.
Meanwhile, UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd's head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said on the local front, attention turned to the progress of the US-Malaysia trade negotiations.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz and his delegation's arrival in Washington to engage with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and senior officials marks a pivotal moment in addressing tariff-related uncertainties that have clouded investor outlook in recent weeks.
"Despite the cautious backdrop, selected domestically oriented sectors saw notable interest. Consumer discretionary and telecommunications stocks led gainers, underscoring investor confidence in Malaysia's underlying economic resilience," said Mohd Sedek.
Adding to the constructive narrative, Malaysia's sharp rise in the latest International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2025 -- advancing 11 spots to 23rd globally -- reinforces the country's reform momentum and macroeconomic credibility.
"This supports our positive medium-term outlook, particularly for the construction sector, where structural themes such as hyperscale data centre investments and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone are expected to serve as key catalysts for growth," he added.
Among heavyweights, Maybank gained 7.0 sen to RM9.62, Tenaga dipped 8.0 sen to RM14.22, Public Bank added 2.0 sen to RM4.24, CIMB slid 1.0 sen to RM6.65, and IHH Healthcare eased 4.0 sen to RM6.85.
As for the most active stocks, Tanco Holdings inched up half-a-sen to 98 sen, SNS Network Technology gained 4.0 sen to 53.5 sen, Magma Group rose 3.0 sen to 46 sen, NexG shed 1.5 sen to 34.5 sen, and Alam Maritim Resources slid half-a-sen to 3.0 sen.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Malay Mail

13 minutes ago

• Malay Mail

Tengku Zafrul: Malaysia, US aim to seal tariff deal before 90-day clock runs out

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Malaysia's discussions with the United States (US) Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce on ongoing tariff-related negotiations have made good progress, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz He said both Malaysia and US representatives have expressed their intention to finalise negotiations before the expiry of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation, and agreed to intensify efforts to reach an agreement acceptable to key stakeholders in both countries. In a statement today, he highlighted that the US has been one of Malaysia's top three export markets over the past decade. 'In May 2025, exports to the US recorded the eighth consecutive month of double-digit growth,' he said. A significant share of Malaysia's exports to the US supports and complements US domestic industries in sectors such as electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment, and parts. Malaysia also serves as a key supplier of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. 'MITI has remained steadfast in upholding Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations, particularly in safeguarding the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and sovereign rights,' he added. He further stated that MITI anticipates the negotiations will help secure Malaysia's supply chains and deliver positive spillovers to local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), while also creating more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. 'These efforts will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a preferred investment destination in the region and drive the Madani economic transformation agenda towards becoming a high-tech, high-income nation,' said Tengku Zafrul. Tengku Zafrul led a working visit to Washington, US, from June 18-20, 2025. The visit focused on continuing US tariff-related engagement and negotiations with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. He was accompanied by MITI's chief negotiator, the Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Malaysia, and MITI officials based in Washington. — Bernama

New Straits Times

18 minutes ago

• New Straits Times

Trade talks 'progressing well', Malaysia and US aim to finalise by 90-day deadline

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United States are aiming to finalise tariff negotiations before the 90-day pause on implementation expires, with both parties agreeing to intensify efforts toward a mutually acceptable outcome for key stakeholders in both countries. Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry today said its separate meetings with US Trade Representative ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick had made positive progress. "The Malaysian delegation led by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz ensured that the meetings with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce was also optimised as a platform to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties between Malaysia and the US, while also. "These will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which Miti hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation," it said in a statement. Tengku Zafrul, who led a working visit to Washington DC on June 18, said the negotiations are expected to boost Malaysia's supply chain resilience. He added that the outcomes could benefit local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and generate more high-paying jobs for Malaysians. "All these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation," he added. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's exports to the US recorded their eighth straight month of double-digit growth in May 2025, with the US remaining one of the country's top three export destinations over the past decade. He noted that a significant portion of these exports supports US domestic industries, particularly in sectors like electrical and electronics (E&E), semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment, and components. "Malaysia has also been an important source of intermediate goods to US-based manufacturing industries. "The ministry has also remained steadfast in doing its utmost to uphold Malaysia's interests in all trade and investment relations with all trading partners, particularly in maintaining the integrity of Malaysia's domestic commitments and its sovereign rights," he said.

The Star

28 minutes ago

• The Star

M'sia-US tariff negotiations on track, says Tengku Zafrul

PETALING JAYA: With about two weeks before unilateral tariffs begin, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz says meetings with the US in Washington DC are progressing well. Tengku Zafrul states that two meetings took place between June 18 and 20 with the US Trade Representative and the US Secretary of Commerce. He mentions both Malaysian and US representatives aim to finalise negotiations before the 90-day pause on tariff implementation ends. 'They also agreed to intensify efforts to reach an agreement acceptable to key stakeholders from both countries,' says Tengku Zafrul on Sunday (June 22). The statement from the ministry adds that the Malaysian delegation led by Tengku Zafrul used the meetings with US officials to enhance bilateral investment and trade ties. 'This will also form part of the expected outcome of the negotiations, which Miti hopes will be finalised before the end of the 90-day pause on tariff implementation,' said the ministry. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul hopes these negotiations will secure Malaysia's supply chain and benefit Malaysian businesses, especially small-and-medium enterprises. 'All of these will further strengthen Malaysia's position as a choice investment destination in the region, while driving the Madani economic transformation agenda towards a high-tech and higher-income nation,' he adds. As of May this year, Malaysian exports to the US have seen eight consecutive months of double-digit growth, according to Tengku Zafrul. 'The US has been one of Malaysia's top three export markets for the last 10 years. Much of Malaysia's US-bound exports complement US-based industries in sectors like E&E, semiconductors, medical devices, machinery, equipment and parts,' he says. Malaysia faces a 24% tariff on certain exports to the US unless both sides reach an agreement before the 90-day pause ends on July 8.