Persistent buying in heavyweights lifts Bursa Malaysia to end at intraday high
Additionally, investor confidence was further buoyed by policy clarity following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's remarks during the Budget 2026 engagement session held in Putrajaya, today.
At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 7.63 points or 0.50 per cent to close at 1,549.11 from Wednesday's close of 1,541.48.
The benchmark index, which opened 0.98 of-a-point lower at 1,540.50, hit its lowest level of 1,537.74 in the morning session before gaining momentum for the rest of the day.
However, the broader market was negative, with decliners beating gainers 517 to 424, while 539 counters were unchanged, 1,025 untraded and nine suspended.
Turnover narrowed to 2.21 billion units worth RM2.35 billion from 2.51 billion units worth RM2.38 billion on Wednesday.
UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd's head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said gains in the FBM KLCI accelerated in the afternoon session, reflecting improved investor sentiment following policy signals from the government and a constructive domestic economic data release.
"The government highlighted three strategic sectors—semiconductors, energy transition, and the Islamic economy—as core pillars of its forthcoming fiscal strategy.
"The budget consultation solicits feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, reinforcing the administration's commitment to inclusive and forward-looking fiscal planning," he told Bernama.
On the economic front, Malaysia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) rose by 3.0 per cent year-on-year in June 2025, driven by sustained growth in the manufacturing and electricity sectors.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank and IHH were flat at RM9.63 and RM6.95, respectively, Public Bank eased one sen to RM4.29, CIMB lost three sen to RM6.78, while Tenaga Nasional rose 58 sen to RM13.76.
Of the most active counters, Pharmaniaga, Tanco and Zetrix AI all slipped one sen to 17.5 sen, 77 sen and 86 sen, respectively, while Inari Amertron improved three sen to RM1.89, and Top Glove remained unchanged at 61.5 sen.
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