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.
Stable Outlook Backed by Strong Capital Buffers RAM Ratings has reaffirmed its stable outlook on Malaysia’s insurance and takaful industry, citing robust capital positions that provide resilience against market volatility. While persistent medical cost inflation and competitive pricing pressures weigh on earnings, the sector’s solid buffers are expected to help players withstand external uncertainties. “Growth in life/family takaful and non-life segments will likely slow in 2025 amid affordability concerns and lingering cost-of-living pressures. Still, capital buffers are sufficient to absorb potential shocks,” said Sophia Lee , Senior Vice President of Financial Institution Ratings at RAM. Longer-term fundamentals are expected to strengthen as Bank Negara Malaysia’s risk-based capital reforms , slated for 2027 or later, enhance system resilience. Several insurers have already begun managing capital needs ahead of the reforms. Growth Moderation Across Life...