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.
As geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation rattle global markets, Malaysia is fast emerging as a bright spot for investors seeking stability and sustainable growth , according to Franklin Templeton Institute strategist Christy Tan. Malaysia’s Strengths: 2Q25 GDP: +4.5% YoY, driven by a 5.3% services boom and 3.8% infrastructure expansion . Fiscal reforms: Expansion of the Sales & Services Tax and rationalised electricity tariffs bolster public finances without hurting growth. Strategic positioning: Digitisation, sustainability initiatives and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are turning Malaysia into a regional trade diversification hub . Investor Insight: Despite RM11 billion in foreign equity outflows in early 2025 due to global trade tensions, Malaysia’s high-dividend defensive sectors tied to infrastructure and digital transformation continue to attract interest. Asia’s Adaptive Edge India: ...