KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended Friday’s trade with a bounce on the back of a rally in banking stocks as investor sentiment improved following softer-than-expected US labour market data. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the recovery in heavyweight financial counters provided the main support for the benchmark index, reflecting increased risk appetite after concerns over further US monetary tightening eased. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 17.22 points to 1,679.05 from Thursday's close of 1,661.83. The benchmark index opened 3.90 points higher at 1,665.73 and moved between 1,662.91 and 1,682.62 throughout the session. The market breadth was positive, with gainers trouncing decliners 633 to 372, while 533 counters were unchanged, 1,112 untraded, and 12 suspended.
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia extended its gains to close higher today, supported by strength in telecommunications stocks and a rebound in heavyweight banking counters, which kept the benchmark index in positive territory despite cautious overall market sentiment. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said investor sentiment remained guarded as market participants awaited key US labour market data for fresh signals on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction, while continuing to monitor developments in West Asia for potential geopolitical risks. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.0 points, or 0.30 per cent, to 1,661.83 from Wednesday's close of 1,656.83. The benchmark index opened 1.99 points higher at 1,658.82 and moved between 1,657.77 and 1,666.26 throughout the session.