Bursa edges higher at midday as KLCI reaches 1,600.82
Advancing counters outnumbered decliners 481 to 373, with turnover of 1.57 billion units valued at RM1.04 billion.
Malaysia’s benchmark FBM KLCI finished morning trading on Oct 21 at 1,600.82, gaining 1.24 points or 0.07 per cent amid cautious trading. Its previous close was 1,599.58.
The index started at 1,603.41, up 3.83 points, and traded within a 1,596.69–1,604.13 range. Market turnover reached RM1.04 billion on volume of 1.57 billion units.
Across Bursa Malaysia, 481 counters advanced and 373 declined. Another 484 finished unchanged, while 1,523 were not traded and 20 remained suspended.
Apex Securities Bhd said volatility was likely to persist, although Wall Street’s mixed but generally positive overnight showing could support a recovery. Lower oil prices and easing United States Treasury yields might also help sentiment by reducing concerns over inflation and borrowing costs, the brokerage said.
The firm cautioned that geopolitical uncertainty and weaker regional technology shares could restrain risk appetite. It also identified continuing foreign fund outflows as a domestic obstacle, saying a lasting recovery would likely require more stable foreign flows and broader market participation.
Among heavyweight stocks, Maybank added three sen to RM9.98, while Press Metal rose six sen to RM6.81 and YTL Power gained two sen to RM5.32. Public Bank lost two sen to RM4.71. TNB remained at RM13.06 and IHH Healthcare at RM7.91.
Vitrox gained 32 sen to RM10.62 and UWC advanced 26 sen to RM7.22. Among declining counters, Batu Kawan dropped 42 sen to RM18.88, while Allianz Malaysia fell 18 sen to RM19.22.
