KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index edged higher at the close as bargain hunting emerged following Monday’s sharp sell-off, although it narrowly failed to reclaim the 1,600 level, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 3.83 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 1,599.58 from Monday’s close of 1,595.75. The index opened 3.18 points lower at 1,592.57, marking its intraday low, and reached an intraday high of 1,602.83 in early trading. On the broader market, decliners outnumbered gainers 751 to 331, while 499 counters were unchanged, 1,259 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.86 billion units worth RM2.42 billion against Monday’s 2.49 billion units worth RM2.38 billion.
Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia (SME Bank) has projected Malaysia's GDP growth to range between 4.5% and 5% in 2025, supported by the robust Madani Economy framework and a positive economic outlook. Key Highlights : 2024 Growth Performance : Malaysia’s GDP grew 5.1% in 2024, exceeding the bank’s forecast of 4.3% to 5.3% . The growth was driven by strong household spending , favourable labor market conditions , robust investment , and a recovery in external trade . 2025 Growth Outlook : SME Bank’s Acting CEO, Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim , expects GDP growth for 2025 to remain strong, between 4.5% and 5% , continuing the positive momentum seen in 2024. Sectoral Growth : The construction sector is anticipated to lead in 2025 with double-digit growth, building on its strong performance since 2023. The manufacturing sector is a...