KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended marginally lower on Monday, as investors largely stayed on the sidelines and adopted a wait-and-see approach amid uncertainties over US monetary policy and geopolitical developments, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.38 of a point to 1,735.37 compared with last Friday’s close of 1,735.75. The index opened 0.10 of a point higher at 1,735.85 and fluctuated between 1,730.35 and 1,738.97 throughout the day. However, on the broader market, gainers thumped losers 707 to 447, while 573 counters were unchanged, 1,046 untraded and 21 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 3.49 billion units valued at RM2.55 billion from 3.55 billion units valued at RM3.47 billion last Friday.
Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd reported a modest improvement in 2QFY2026 earnings, supported by loan growth and cost discipline, despite margin compression and higher impairment charges. Net profit for the quarter rose 7% year-on-year to RM899.3 million. The group declared an interim dividend of 22 sen per share , up 10% from last year. For 1HFY2026, net profit increased 3.2% to RM1.74 billion. Key Financial Metrics 2QFY2026: Net profit: RM899.3 million (+7%) Revenue: RM1.92 billion (+3.2%) Interim dividend: 22 sen 1HFY2026: Net profit: RM1.74 billion (+3.2%) Revenue: RM3.86 billion Operational highlights: Gross loans growth: +8.2% YoY to RM215.7 billion Domestic loan growth: +8.3% (vs industry 4.9%) Net interest margin: 1.83% CASA growth: +12.1% to RM79.6 billion Cost-to-income ratio: improved to 35.9% Gross impaired loans ratio: 0.59% CET1 ratio: 12.6% Annualised ROE: 10.7% Book value per share: RM29.16 Money Master Take HLFG’s quarter reflects operational stability rather...