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Key Takeaways FBM KLCI slipped below its 2026 gains , pressured by renewed geopolitical concerns and regional market weakness. Foreign fund outflows and political uncertainty  continue to cap market sentiment ahead of upcoming state elections. Higher oil prices and elevated US interest rate expectations  could prolong market volatility. Analysts favour domestic, cash-generative companies , viewing market weakness as a selective buying opportunity. Market Overview Malaysian equities started the week on a weaker footing, with the  FBM KLCI  falling as much as  0.8%  to  1,655.28 , wiping out its gains for the year. The decline mirrored losses across major Asian markets as investors shifted their focus back to geopolitical tensions involving  Iran  and the broader Middle East. Financial heavyweights led the pullback, with  Public Bank  declining 1.5%, contributing significantly to the benchmark index's weakest level since December 2025...

Malaysia’s market opened with mixed signals as  strong global sentiment contrasts with local profit-taking , while the  IMF upgraded the country’s 2026 GDP outlook , reinforcing medium-term optimism. Wall Street Gains on Easing Geopolitical Risks US markets closed mostly higher as optimism grew that the  US-Iran conflict may be nearing an end : S&P 500   +0.8% Nasdaq Composite   +1.59% Dow Jones Industrial Average   -0.15% Technology stocks led gains, driven by continued  AI enthusiasm and corporate developments : Tesla   +7.6%  on AI chip progress Oracle   +4.2%  on energy deal Lower geopolitical risks are expected to  ease oil prices and inflation pressures , supporting equities. KLCI Slips on Profit-Taking in Heavyweights The  FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI  edged  0.28% lower to 1,683.42 , as gains were capped by  profit-taking in financial and utility stocks . Top gainer:  Axiata Group   +3.72% ...

Escalating Middle East tensions are reigniting momentum in commodity markets, and Maybank Investment Bank sees  short-term trading opportunities emerging in oil- and aluminium-linked counters  despite broader equity volatility. Crude oil has jumped nearly 46% in just two weeks — the sharpest rally since the post-pandemic rebound — while aluminium continues its bullish climb. Key Takeaways Crude oil up nearly 46% in two weeks Aluminium extends rally, widening producer margins Maybank highlights PETRONAS Chemicals and Press Metal as trading plays Elevated freight rates may benefit Westports Defensive yield plays remain attractive FBM KLCI 2026 target maintained at 1,780 (bear case: 1,550) Commodity-Linked Stocks in Focus Maybank identifies tactical opportunities in: PETRONAS Chemicals Group Bhd  – Higher average selling prices amid oil spike Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd  – Wider aluminium spreads Westports Holdings Bhd  – Potential upside from elevated freig...

Global markets stabilised overnight as oil prices cooled, while Bursa Malaysia retreated below a key technical level amid rising geopolitical tensions. Investors are balancing  energy market volatility, geopolitical developments in the Middle East, and corporate earnings momentum , while monitoring new developments in Malaysia’s data centre and infrastructure sectors. Wall Street Rebounds as Oil Market Stabilises US equities staged a rebound after oil prices eased from earlier spikes triggered by geopolitical tensions. Major indices closed higher: Nasdaq Composite:   22,807.48 (+1.29%) S&P 500:   6,869.50 (+0.78%) Dow Jones:   48,739.41 (+0.49%) Oil prices stabilised with  crude futures rising 1.9% to US$75.96 per barrel , significantly lower than earlier spikes of up to  12% earlier in the week . The market recovery followed  President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US would insure oil shipments and provide naval escorts for tankers passing ...

  Malaysia’s manufacturing sector slipped back into contraction in February, while global markets reacted to escalating tensions in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Key Takeaways Wall Street volatile after US–Israel strike on Iran Bursa Malaysia slumps with over 1,000 stocks in the red Malaysia PMI falls to 49.3, back below 50 contraction line Stocks in focus: Optimax, Dagang NeXchange, OMH and others US Market Recap: Oil and Gold Surge on Geopolitical Tensions Nasdaq Composite  rose 0.36% to 22,748.86 S&P 500 Index  ed ged up 0.04% to 6,881.62 Dow Jones Industrial Average   slipped 0.15% to 48,904.78 Markets initially dropped after US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes targeting Iran’s alleged nuclear and missile facilities. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel and US-linked targets in the region. Oil prices jumped as much as 12% before easing: West Texas Intermediate crude traded at US$72.54 per barrel. Safe-haven...

Malaysia’s benchmark index tumbled sharply on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East and renewed US tariff concerns triggered a regional sell-off. Market Snapshot FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI  fell as much as 32.33 points, or nearly 2%, before trimming losses to close  down 0.96% at 1,700.21 points . In the broader market: Losers outnumbered gainers  four to one 3.9 billion shares traded, valued at nearly RM4 billion The ringgit weakened in line with regional currencies as the US dollar strengthened following the US-Israel strike on Iran. Key Point: Geopolitical tensions and higher US tariffs triggered broad-based selling pressure on Bursa Malaysia. Tariff Pressure Builds The US implemented a new  10% global tariff  last week, with President  Donald Trump  reportedly pushing to raise it to 15%. The combined impact of tariff uncertainty and geopolitical risks dampened investor sentiment across Asia. Hong Leong Investment Bank noted that the confli...

Market Snapshot (Feb 26, 2026) FBM KLCI:  1,740.94 ( -0.39% ) FBM Mid 70:  -0.40% FBM Small Cap:  -0.90% FBM ACE:  -0.78% Total gainers:  367 Total losers:  746 Total trading value:  RM4.07 billion Market breadth was negative , with losers more than double gainers. Key Index Performance Despite the daily dip, the FBM KLCI remains up  3.62% year-to-date , while: FBM Mid 70:  +5.33% YTD FBM Small Cap:  +0.59% YTD FBM ACE:  -2.22% YTD Top Movers (FBM KLCI) Gainers Sunway Bhd  +1.88% AMMB Holdings Bhd  +1.68% Gamuda Bhd  +1.67% PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd  +1.46% Decliners Malayan Banking Bhd  -2.91% Telekom Malaysia Bhd  -3.74% MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd  -4.35% YTL Corp Bhd  -2.04% Most Active Stocks Malayan Banking Bhd  – 68.6 million shares traded Aquawalk Group – 75.9 million shares Public Bank – 57.4 million shares Top Gainers by Value Sunway Construction Group Bhd  +RM0.35 PETRONAS Daganga...

Quick Summary Three stocks flagged with positive momentum Four stocks showed negative momentum signals Signals are based on  volume and price build-up , not buy/sell calls Momentum trades are typically  short-lived Positive Momentum Stocks Advance Information Marketing Bhd  (AIM) Unchanged at 6 sen Flagged due to  volume surge despite flat price Ralco Corporation Bhd  (RALCO) +1 sen (+1%) to RM1.01 Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd  (TAKAFUL) +3 sen (+0.88%) to RM3.42 These counters are seeing  stronger-than-usual buying activity . Negative Momentum Stocks APM Automotive Holdings Bhd  (APM) +4 sen (+1.18%) to RM3.43 British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd  (BAT) +67 sen (+12.25%) to RM6.14 Bintai Kinden Corporation Bhd  (BINTAI) +0.5 sen (+5%) to 10.5 sen Milux Corporation Bhd  (MILUX) +3.5 sen (+6.86%) to 54.5 sen Despite price gains in some names, the algorithm detected  volume patterns suggesting weakening momentum . Ho...

Quick Summary FBM KLCI opened higher, up 0.84% to 1,755.48 Broad-based buying in blue-chip stocks lifted sentiment Most key indices traded firmly in positive territory Market tone signals cautious optimism at the open Market Snapshot (Opening) FBM KLCI:   1,755.48  ( +14.60 points | +0.84% ) FBM 70:   17,541.18  ( +0.18% ) F4GBM:   1,033.75  ( +0.67% ) FBM EMAS:   12,825.70  ( +0.63% ) FBM Shariah:   12,355.07  ( +0.65% ) Most Active Stocks Hong Seng (0041):  112.6m shares,  unchanged at 0.005 Zentech (0094):  86.9m shares traded Capital A (5099):  54.3m shares at  0.615 JCY (5161):   +0.010 to 0.395 , 53.6m shares Gamuda (5398):   -0.090 to 4.330 , 49.1m shares Top Gainers Nestlé (4707):   +2.20 to 114.20 United Plantations (2089):   +0.36 to 30.60 Aji (2658):   +0.32 to 13.96 MPI (3867):   +0.30 to 32.30 Tenaga Nasional (5347):   +0.24 to 14.18 Top Decliners F&N (3689): ...

A recent  major power outage  across  Klang Valley and Johor  has reignited debate about Malaysia’s energy infrastructure resilience, with analysts at  CGS International  emphasizing that the incident underscores — not undermines — the case for a  new power sector capex cycle . Power Disruption Signals Systemic Stress CGS noted that the blackout, which originated from the  Edra Melaka CCGT  plant and was compounded by an  unplanned outage  at the  1,000MW Tanjung Bin Energy coal plant , exposed vulnerabilities in Malaysia’s power grid. Together, both plants account for  around 13% of Peninsular Malaysia’s total installed generation capacity , highlighting a  tight reserve margin  and growing system stress. With  electricity demand surging  — driven by  foreign direct investments (FDI)  into  electronics, electrical manufacturing , and  data centres  — Malaysia’s grid is increasi...

Key Takeaway:  Malaysia’s equity market is expected to perform more robustly in 2026, aided by easing U.S. interest rates, a softer dollar, and renewed government-led reform momentum. Market Snapshot Index Latest Change FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI  — -0.31% RHB Investment Bank’s analyst  Alexander Chia  expects Malaysia’s equity market to gain strength next year as both  external and domestic factors  align to support recovery. Key Drivers of Optimism Global Tailwinds: Improved clarity on tariffs  and trade policy. Easing U.S. rates  expected to boost regional liquidity. Softer U.S. dollar  may attract foreign inflows into emerging markets. Domestic Catalysts: Ongoing  economic reform efforts  by the Malaysian government. Record-low foreign ownership  levels offer ample room for re-rating. Growth initiatives  expected to strengthen domestic demand and investment confidence. Investment Opportunities Chia sees value emerging ac...

Balancing Fiscal Prudence and Rakyat-Centric Support With  Budget 2026  set for tabling on  10 October , economists at  RHB Research  expect the government to strike a careful balance between fiscal consolidation and growth-friendly reforms. The fiscal deficit is projected to narrow to  3.5% in 2026  and  3.2% in 2027 , underpinned by an estimated  RM89 billion in development spending  — the first year of the  13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) . “Budget 2026 represents the last major opportunity for the unity government to implement meaningful reforms before political considerations ahead of GE16 dominate in 2027,” RHB noted. Reform Momentum Building, But Challenges Remain Key measures rolled out in 2025 — including the  expanded Sales & Service Tax (SST)  and the start of  RON95 subsidy rationalisation  — are expected to be refined further to exclude higher-income groups. Savings from subsidy rationalisation are lik...