KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI closed higher on Friday, rising 0.58% as banking stocks lifted the benchmark despite cautious sentiment across the broader market. Lower liners ended mixed, reflecting selective trading activity.
Banking Gains
Sector-wise, Finance (+1.77%) and Telecommunications & Media (+1.68%) led gains, while Construction (-1.39%) and Utilities (-0.78%) were the main laggards.
Globally, Wall Street extended its rally on Monday, with the Dow climbing 1.05%, the S&P 500 adding 0.54%, and the Nasdaq advancing 0.56%. Investors shrugged off concerns over AI-related trades as earnings reports poured in, though uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s policy path lingered. European equities also closed higher, supported by a continued sell-off in spot gold.
Asia markets
In Asia, markets ended in the red. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.25% as technology and resource losses outweighed early yen-driven gains. China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 2.48% on weak manufacturing data and deteriorating fiscal revenue growth, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid 2.23%, dragged lower by technology counters.
Looking ahead, analysts expect the FBM KLCI to trade range-bound in the near term as investors remain selective amid mixed regional cues. Buying interest is likely to centre on high-yield and earnings-visible names, particularly within the banking sector, while selective consumer plays may benefit from improving domestic demand.
Sector focus remains on consumer stocks, supported by ringgit strength that should ease imported cost pressures, alongside a tourism rebound under Visit Malaysia 2026. The banking sector continues to be favoured for its stable earnings visibility and resilient dividend yields.
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