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.
Malaysian equities edged higher on Thursday , while the ringgit held steady after Bank Negara Malaysia kept interest rates unchanged, reinforcing confidence in the country’s growth outlook. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI climbed about 0.6% , leaving the benchmark just shy of a seven-year high , as investors welcomed the central bank’s steady hand. The ringgit traded at 4.0420 per US dollar , remaining one of Asia’s strongest currencies after rising nearly 0.5% month-to-date and gaining 9% in 2025 . BNM held the overnight policy rate at 2.75% , as widely expected, and projected economic growth at the upper end of its outlook range , underscoring resilience supported by strong domestic demand and record-high trade performance in 2025 . The upbeat fundamentals have eased pressure on policymakers to deliver further rate cuts. Analysts noted the central bank struck a balanced tone. ANZ economist Krystal Tan sai...