![MARKET PULSE PM AUG 5, 2025 [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHQ20250206EZ_%25282%2529_%25285%2529_1754391612.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
MARKET PULSE PM AUG 5, 2025 [WATCH]
Bursa Malaysia closed higher today, in line with the strong performance of key regional indices, following a positive cue from Wall Street overnight on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut.
Selective buying was seen in the utilities, banking, telecommunications, and technology sectors, while healthcare stocks edged lower.
The FBM KLCI is expected to trend within the range of 1,530 to 1,545 this week.
Meanwhile, the ringgit strengthened against the greenback to 4.2260.
In the crypto market, Bitcoin fell to RM483,907 amid weak liquidity and fading institutional demand.
Ethereum declined to RM15,399, while Solana fell to RM708.
That wraps up today's Market Pulse.
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Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ringgit ends higher ahead of Fed remarks
KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar as investors took advantage of the greenback's weakness ahead of comments from US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials tonight, said an analyst. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid told Bernama that the comments from Fed officials will shape traders' and investors' expectations for an interest rate cut in September. 'Thus far, US data points such as nonfarm payrolls and the Institute for Supply Management index have been supportive of a rate cut. 'A mixed view among the Fed officials could support the US dollar, albeit momentarily,' he said. A series of Fed speakers – San Francisco Fed president Mary Daly, Boston Fed president Susan Collins, and Fed governor Lisa Cook – will be speaking to the public later in the day to shed more light on the future direction of US interest rates. At 6pm, the local currency rose to 4.2235/4.2305 against the greenback from yesterday's close of 4.2260/4.2310. Meanwhile, the ringgit ended mostly lower against major currencies at today's close, except for the Japanese yen. The ringgit gained against the yen to 2.8570/2.8619 from 2.8618/2.8654 at the close yesterday. However, it inched down versus the British pound to 5.6160/5.6253 from 5.6159/5.6226, and the euro to 4.8929/4.9010 from 4.8772/4.8830 previously. The ringgit also trended mostly lower against regional peers. It strengthened against the Thai baht to 13.0291/13.0567 from 13.0408/13.0627. However, it dropped against the Singapore dollar to 3.2806/3.2863 from 3.2793/3.2834, reduced against the Indonesian rupiah to 258.1/258.6 from 257.8/258.2, and eased against the Philippine peso to 7.34/7.36 from 7.33/7.34 previously.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's latest corporate earnings season kicks off
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's quarterly corporate earnings season is underway, with listed companies on Bursa Malaysia beginning to release their second quarter (Q2) results throughout August. Investors and traders are keenly watching the financial disclosures to recalibrate their strategies amid a mix of macroeconomic resilience and evolving sector-specific dynamics. Rakuten Trade said early indicators point to continued strength in banking, technology, consumer and utilities. Select counters are expected to deliver resilient earnings, supported by stable demand, cost optimisation and regional tailwinds. Banks are likely to benefit from sustained interest income strength. Meanwhile, technology stocks especially those linked to global semiconductor and AI value chains are showing early signs of recovery. "Our initial review of Q2 results and guidance from key players shows encouraging signs in financial services and selected export-oriented technology stocks," said Kenny Yee, head of research at Rakuten Trade. "With the ringgit remaining relatively stable and consumer sentiment improving, we also anticipate a moderate rebound in consumer-facing stocks. "Traders should closely track updates from banking heavyweights, large-cap tech, and staple consumer names to position for medium-term growth," Yee added. Among early reporters this quarter, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd posted a 15.16 per cent year-on-year decline in Q2FY25 net profit to RM140.3 million. This was attributed to higher tax expenses, startup losses from its dairy operations, and softer revenue. Westports Holdings Bhd's Q2FY25 net profit grew 15 per cent YoY to RM231 million thanks to higher throughput. Axis-REIT's net income rose 20.5 per cent YoY to RM46.9 million, driven by higher property income. Meanwhile, Hartalega Holdings Bhd's Q1 2026 net profit dipped 60 per cent YoY to RM12.6 million due to weaker average selling prices, stronger ringgit and lower capacity utilisation. With investor sentiment expected to fluctuate throughout August, Rakuten Trade encourages market participants to leverage its digital-first trading platform to capture opportunities across both local and foreign markets. "We expect this earnings season to stir market activity, creating timely opportunities for traders. "As Malaysia's first fully digital equity broker, Rakuten Trade offers the most competitive brokerage fees in the market, with fees starting as low as RM1 per trade," said Kazumasa Mise, chief executive officer of Rakuten Trade.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ringgit ends higher ahead of Fed comments
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar as investors took advantage of the greenback's weakness ahead of comments from United States (US) Federal Reserve (Fed) officials tonight, said an analyst. At 6pm, the local note rose to 4.2235/2305 against the greenback from Tuesday's close of 4.2260/2310. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid told Bernama that the comments from Fed officials will shape traders' and investors' expectations for an interest rate cut in September. "Thus far, US data points such as nonfarm payrolls and the Institute for Supply Management index have been supportive of a rate cut. A mixed view among the Fed officials could support the US dollar, albeit momentarily," he said. A series of Fed speakers -- San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, Boston Fed President Susan Collins, and Fed Governor Lisa Cook -- will be speaking to the public later in the day to shed more light on the future direction of US interest rates. Meanwhile, the ringgit ended mostly lower against major currencies at today's close, except for the Japanese yen. The ringgit gained against the yen to 2.8570/8619 from 2.8618/8654 at the close on Tuesday; however, it inched down versus the British pound to 5.6160/6253 from 5.6159/6226, and the euro to 4.8929/9010 from 4.8772/8830 previously. The ringgit also trended mostly lower against regional peers. It strengthened against the Thai baht to 13.0291/0567 from 13.0408/0627, but dropped against the Singapore dollar to 3.2806/2863 from 3.2793/2834, reduced against the Indonesian rupiah to 258.1/258.6 from 257.8/258.2 and eased against the Philippine peso to 7.34/7.36 from 7.33/7.34 previously.
