KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday as investors continued to accumulate blue-chip stocks in line with stronger performances across most regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.50 points to 1,724.90 from yesterday’s close of 1,720.40. The benchmark index opened 0.83 of a point higher at 1,721.23, and moved between 1,715.67 and 1,730.12 throughout the day. The broader market was positive with gainers outpacing losers 707 to 402, while 547 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 56 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.03 billion units valued at RM3.56 billion from 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion on Thursday.
Asia is entering its busiest week for earnings , with Chinese and Hong Kong-listed banks in the spotlight as investors look for signs of the potential impact from Beijing's stimulus measures . A total of 544 firms from the MSCI Asia Pacific Index will report their earnings this week, including major players like the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd , according to Bloomberg data. Investors will pay close attention to Chinese lenders' results , looking for any indications of increased credit demand , which could signal a recovery in consumer confidence . Chinese banks have faced challenges from slowing profit growth and narrowing interest margins , making their outlook critical for understanding the broader economic recovery. In Hong Kong, HSBC Holdings Plc will also be closely watched after its recent corporate structure revamp , which has attracted investor interest. This week’s earnings results are expected to provide key insights into the region’s economic he...