KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to end higher today with the benchmark FBM KLCI reclaiming the 1,700 psychological level, supported by improved global sentiment after US President Donald Trump signalled a potential de-escalation of the Iran conflict, alongside Malaysia’s stronger Industrial Production Index (IPI) data. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increased 27.51 points, or 1.64 per cent, to 1,701.68 from yesterday’s close of 1,674.17. The benchmark index opened 10.68 points higher at 1,684.85, its lowest point today, and hit a high of 1,703.61 in the late afternoon session. Market breadth was positive, with gainers thumping losers 929 to 382. A total of 361 counters were unchanged, 982 untraded and 19 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.60 billion units worth RM3.75 billion from yesterday’s 5.52 billion units worth RM5.87 billion.
The focus today will be on both the Ringgit against a much stronger US dollar and the plantation sector. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board will announce this week Oct inventory, output and export numbers, thus the spot light on the plantation sector.
Last Monday, the KLCI eked out a 0.41-point gain to settle at 1,686.11. Yesterday, the Malaysian stock market was closed for the Deepavali holiday.
However, overnight US dollar gains could put the ringgit in the spotlight today. The ringgit was last traded weaker at 4.3825 versus the US dollar.
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| The Ringgit on spot light against a stronger US dollar |
Reuters reported that the prospect of a US rate hike sent the dollar to a seven-month high. A strong dollar eats into the overseas sales at US companies.
In overnight US share trades, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.16% to 17,758.21 points. Nasdaq Composite fell 0.24% to 5,083.24.
With the plantation shares like Sime Darby Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, IOI Corp Bhd and PPB Group Bhd account for substantial weightage in the 30-stock FBM KLCI, it will be interesting to see how the data will impact the index as a whole.
CIMB Investment Bank Bhd said in a note Malaysia's Oct palm oil inventory could have climbed to a record 2.72 million tonnes from the preceding month as exports dropped at a faster pace than production.

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