Bursa Malaysia seen range-bound this week as macro data in focus
UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said investors would closely monitor upcoming data from China, particularly June trade figures and second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP).
"While consensus expects GDP growth to hold at 5.0 per cent, persistent weakness in the property sector could reignite stimulus speculation.
"In the US, June retail sales will be a key indicator of consumer strength and potential implications for the US Federal Reserve's policy path,' he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng expects profit-taking to emerge next week.
"As such, we anticipate the FBM KLCI to move within the 1,530-1,560 range. Sectors likely to remain in favour include banking, telecommunications, property, construction and consumer,' he said.
For the week just ended, the benchmark index fell 14.12 points to 1,536.07 from 1,550.19 a week earlier. The FBM Emas Index declined 74.14 points to 11,543.58, the FBMT 100 Index dropped 81.96 points to 11,308.74, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index slipped 65.35 points to 11,552.47.
The FBM 70 Index shed 25.69 points to 16,761.35, while the FBM ACE Index rose 11.77 points to 4,538.17.
By sector, the Financial Services Index slid 183.09 points to 17,608.13, the Plantation Index added 1.71 points to 7,459.45, and the Energy Index eased 3.99 points to 737.62.
Weekly turnover narrowed to 16.21 billion units worth RM11.43 billion from 17.25 billion units valued at RM12.62 billion in the previous week.
Main Market volume fell to 6.99 billion units valued at RM10.02 billion, compared with 9.22 billion units worth RM11.41 billion previously.
Warrant turnover rose to 7.82 billion units worth RM911.38 million from 6.62 billion units worth RM772.30 million a week earlier.
ACE Market volume inched up to 1.41 billion units valued at RM490.78 million versus 1.40 billion units worth RM437.52 million previously. - Bernama
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New Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
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Looking ahead, Sedek said the FBM KLCI may face several downside risks such as export sensitivity to global uncertainties. This includes the possibility of US tariffs cutting electronics and furniture export revenues by up to US$2 billion annually, even as Malaysia retains competitiveness over China. "Domestically, implementation inefficiencies in 13MP, such as bureaucratic delays, may undermine investor confidence in the RM611 billion investment plan," Sedek said. Apart from the lower tariff and 13MP rollout, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research said sentiment is also supported by rising odds of a US Federal Reserve rate cut as early as September. However, August could see guarded trading amid persistent foreign net outflows totalling RM14.21 billion year-to-date — the largest since the RM24.6 billion recorded during the pandemic-hit year of 2020. 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Despite this, HLIB Research said underlying sentiment remained cautious, with market breadth still weak at 0.83 compared to 0.82 previously. Turnover stood at 2.43 billion shares worth RM2.72 billion. This came amid persistent foreign outflows for an 11th consecutive session, valued at RM1.13 billion last week, mostly in the financial services, healthcare and utilities sectors. Local institutions remained net buyers at RM1.03 billion, while local retailers bought RM105.5 million in equities. Average daily trading volume fell across the board, with foreign investors and local retailers down 6.6 per cent and 6.1 per cent, respectively, while local institutions recorded a 4.8 per cent increase.
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‘Balance prosperity with equity'
Regional unity: Fadillah (centre, front row) posing for a group photo, flanked by Nga and Dr Zaliha at the opening of the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, the Asean Governors and Mayors Forum and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must ensure that the prosperity generated by rapid urbanisation is shared equitably among all communities and is not achieved at the expense of the vulnerable, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. The Deputy Prime Minister said urban areas in Asean are already home to more than 370 million people, contributing 70% of the region's gross domestic product and powering a US$3.8 trillion (RM16 trillion) economy in 2024. He said by 2050, seven in 10 Asean citizens are projected to live in cities, making urban centres critical drivers of regional growth. 'However, prosperity is not evenly shared. We still see gleaming skyscrapers casting shadows over informal settlements, and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity. 'As Asean moves towards becoming the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, we must ensure urbanisation delivers not only growth, but fairness and opportunity for all,' Fadillah added. He said this in his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, Asean Governors and Mayors Forum and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals here yesterday, Bernama reported. Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Asean Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said that as Asean Chair, Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to deepening regional cooperation, advancing economic integration and safeguarding peace and stability in South-East Asia for the region's communities. He stressed that urbanisation must serve as a unifying force, adding that urgent solutions are needed for challenges such as housing shortages, mobility bottlenecks and climate risks, including recurring floods, choking smog and sinking streets. 'Inclusivity means no one is left behind. Women, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities must all have a voice in shaping our future cities,' he said, adding that accessible transport, affordable housing and digital connectivity for rural migrants are essential. On sustainability, Fadillah said it is 'not optional' but essential for survival, noting threats such as rising sea levels in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and intensifying heatwaves across the region. He praised proven Asean innovations in finding climate crisis solutions, citing Singapore's green building standards, Indonesia's renewable energy transition and Bandung's digital governance, as well as Brunei's smart water management. He said they are aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and respect Asean's diversity. Fadillah also stressed the role of mayors and local governments as 'frontline architects' of Asean's transformation. He said they should be central to regional decision-making and be equipped with advanced tools such as AI-powered urban planning, systematic knowledge-sharing and stronger cross-border networks. 'Your leadership will determine whether our cities become models of equity and environmental harmony, or cautionary tales of unchecked growth. 'Let us seize this moment to build partnerships, inspire bold policies and create a legacy of thriving, liveable communities for generations to come,' he said. The three-day forum started yesterday with the theme 'Asean Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability'. It aligns with the Asean Community Vision 2045 and brings together the Asean Smart Cities Network and Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy.
