KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- Selected blue-chip counters trading at attractive valuations helped Bursa Malaysia close higher on Friday, despite cautious market sentiment driven by developments in West Asia, volatility in crude oil prices and uncertainty over the global interest rate outlook. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 4.10 points or 0.24 per cent to 1,683.63 compared with Thursday's close of 1,679.53. The key index opened 5.34 points stronger at 1,684.87 earlier today and moved between 1,679.72 and 1,685.39 throughout the session. Market breadth was negative, with losers leading gainers 533 to 479, while 561 counters were unchanged, 1,130 untraded and 33 suspended. Turnover fell to 2.79 billion units worth RM2.31 billion from 3.32 billion units worth RM2.88 billion yesterday.
Walmart ($WMT) has outpaced the S&P 500 over the past 12 months, rising an impressive 37.1% versus the index’s 16.1%. With Q2 earnings set to drop this Thursday, investors are watching closely — not just the fundamentals, but also the chart signals flashing both bullish and bearish cues.
Earnings Preview: Solid Expectations
Walmart’s Q2 earnings report will be released before the bell on Thursday, with analysts anticipating:
EPS (adj.): $0.74
Revenue: $174.2 billion
YoY EPS Growth: +10.4%
YoY Revenue Growth: +3%
Of the 33 analysts covering WMT, 24 revised earnings estimates upward this quarter, suggesting growing confidence in the retailer’s operational momentum.
Fundamental Edge: A Retail Mainstay
Walmart continues to serve as a go-to destination for everyday American needs — a reliable indicator of consumer trust. Its wide reach, affordability, and broad product offering keep it resilient in economic uncertainty. The question now is whether its recent growth is sustainable or already priced in.
Chart Check: At a Technical Crossroads
WMT’s 10-month chart presents a tale of two trends:
Bullish case: A possible cup-with-handle formation hints at continuation.
Bearish concern: A double-top pattern suggests a reversal may be underway.
Key technical levels and indicators:
Current Price: $100.70
Double-top pivot zone: $80 (a potential 20% downside)
RSI: Neutral to slightly bullish
MACD: Still in bullish territory
9-day EMA Histogram: Trending lower
12- vs. 26-day EMA: Converging, a bearish crossover could trigger a short-term sell signal
While the MACD remains encouraging, weakening momentum in EMAs and pattern ambiguity call for caution.
Investor Takeaway
Walmart’s fundamental outlook appears healthy heading into earnings, but technically, the stock faces elevated risk if support weakens. Investors should:
Monitor Q2 earnings closely for guidance on consumer trends
Watch technical signals — especially for a confirmed breakdown or breakout
Consider portfolio exposure to retail and consumer staples in volatile macro environments
A strong report could invalidate bearish patterns — but if numbers disappoint, chart risk could turn into reality.
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