KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
Chinese stock investors are experiencing a surge of enthusiasm as the CSI 300 Index recorded its biggest gain since 2008, officially entering a bull market. This significant rally has been driven by a wave of stimulus measures from the government aimed at easing housing woes, creating a sense of urgency among retail investors to capitalize on the market's momentum. In just five trading sessions, the frenzy has captivated traders like Shao Qifeng , chief investment officer at Ying An Asset Management Co., who reports an influx of inquiries about whether now is the right time to invest. "On the surface, I’m keeping my cool, but deep down in my heart, I’m celebrating," he noted, reflecting the sentiment shared by many market participants. The excitement is palpable, as trading turnover has reached record highs, overwhelming brokerages with applications and requests to open new trading accounts. The rush follows the relaxation of homebuyer rules in three major Chinese citi...