Bursa closes slightly higher, improved sentiment fuelled interest in industrial stocks
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended slightly higher on Friday, supported by gains in industrial stocks as investor sentiment improved amid renewed optimism over global trade talks.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 0.24 per cent, or 3.76 points, to close at 1,546.50, up from Thursday's close of 1,542.74.
The broader market saw an even match, with 453 gainers and 453 losers, while 524 counters were unchanged.
UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said market sentiment was lifted by a positive lead from Wall Street.
This was driven by reduced trade tension concerns, especially after US President Donald Trump announced a proposed trade agreement with the United Kingdom, which encouraged a risk-on mood among investors.
"Locally, Malaysia continues to attract strategic interest from multinational investors. The European Union (EU) has signalled clear intent to elevate its economic ties with Asean, with Malaysia positioned as a key partner.
"According to the EU ambassador to Malaysia, Rafael Daerr, the Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to serve as a critical instrument to strengthen bilateral trade and investment linkages," he said.
Sedek said this comes at a time when global markets remain vulnerable to protectionist shifts and policy uncertainty.
"Looking ahead, we maintain a positive view on the FBM KLCI's near-term trajectory, with the recent relief rally likely to continue.
"The benchmark index appears set to challenge the 1,555 resistance level - a threshold last tested in early March during a period of heightened tariff speculation - and may even extend toward 1,560 if momentum holds," he said.
Sedek said if the upcoming US-China trade discussions in Switzerland over the weekend result in meaningful progress, the FBM KLCI is likely to climb to the 1,565–1,575 range.
"However, if discussions break down or produce ambiguous outcomes, global risk sentiment may reverse, exerting downward pressure on regional markets, including Bursa Malaysia," Sedek adds.
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