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.
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...