KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
Sales of Mazda and Kia vehicles are anticipated to rise in the coming months, despite a weaker-than-expected first quarter for Bermaz Auto Bhd (KL ) . Analysts remain optimistic, noting the company's above-average dividend yield of 10% and a proposed investment in EP Manufacturing Bhd (KL ) as positive factors. Bermaz Auto's net profit for the first quarter ended July 31, 2024 (1QFY2025), represented only about 23% of the consensus full-year estimate. However, RHB Investment Bank (RHB IB) maintains a 'buy' call on the stock, highlighting that the first quarter is typically a weaker period for the company. The decline in sales was partly attributed to a higher base of comparison from the previous year, driven by significant shipments of Mazda 3, Mazda 6, and imported CX-3 vehicles to clear backlogged orders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, Bermaz Auto's sales are expected to be primarily supported by its volume-heavy, locally assembled Mazda models, ...