Market Review & Outlook
Malaysia Market Review: The FBM KLCI ended its two-day decline to close 0.10% higher, supported by late buying interest in selected heavyweights. However, market breadth was negative, with 678 decliners outpacing 413 advancers, as lower liners ended in negative territory. Sector-wise, Construction (+0.35%), Transportation & Logistics (+0.16%) and Consumer (+0.03%) led gains while Technology (-0.82%), Industrial Products (-0.61%) and Property (-0.55%) were the main laggards.
Global Markets. Bullish sentiment returned to Wall Street, with a sharp rebound across major indices as the Dow surged 2.47%, the Nasdaq advanced 2.18% and the S&P 500 climbed 1.97%. The rally saw the Dow breach the 50,000 level for the first time, driven by a recovery in technology stocks following several sessions of heavy selling. Sentiment was further supported by an improvement in US consumer confidence, as the University of Michigan’s February Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 57.3, up 1.6 points from January. In Europe, equities staged a broad-based rebound from the previous session’s losses, with the STOXX 600 rising 0.89% after the European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged. Asian markets were mixed, with the KOSPI (-1.44%) and Hang Seng Index (-1.21%) retreating, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 (+0.81%) gained. In Japan, voters delivered a landslide victory to incumbent Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party, reinforcing expectations of continued proactive fiscal policy.
Market Outlook. The FBM KLCI is expected to retain a constructive bias, underpinned by sustained institutional participation and resilient domestic fundamentals. Market attention will be on this week’s 4Q25 GDP growth data for clues on domestic growth momentum and the policy outlook. Externally, a series of closely watched US data releases including non-farm payrolls, unemployment rate and core CPI index could provide further clarity on the Federal Reserve’s policy path. Any data surprise or shift in policy expectations may sway global risk appetite and in turn shape near term trading sentiment on the local bourse.
Sector focus. We favour the consumer sector, supported by ringgit strength that should ease imported cost pressures, alongside a tourism rebound under Visit Malaysia 2026 that is expected to lift domestic spending. Meanwhile, the banking sector remains attractive for its stable earnings visibility and resilient dividend yields
Technical Commentary: The FBMKLCI pared earlier losses to close marginally lower. Indicators remained mixed, with the MACD line trading below the signal line while the RSI remained above 50. The next resistance is located at 1,750, while support is envisaged around 1,685.
Company News (source: various)
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has further increased its stake in IJM Corporation Bhd to 20.4%, solidifying its position as the largest shareholder in the construction outfit.
Plenitude Bhd’s net profit fell 25.95% to RM26.25 million for the second quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 (2QFY2026), from RM35.46 million a year ago, owing to lower contributions from its property division.
GDB Holdings Bhd announced a series of boardroom changes following significant shifts in its substantial shareholding structure.
AWC Bhd has secured three projects involving automated pneumatic waste collection systems in Malaysia and Singapore, with a combined contract value of RM26.6 million.
Sapura Industrial Bhd said its 51%-owned unit, SIB ZZT Sdn Bhd, has entered into a deal to supply components used to produce prismatic lithium batteries.
Greentronics Technology Bhd said it is not aware of any reason for the plunge in its share price on Friday that had one stage wiped out 79% of its market capitalisation Replying to an unusual market activity query from Bursa Malaysia, Greentronics said it does not know of any corporate development, or rumour or report concerning the business and affairs of the company, that may account for the trading activity.
Plantation company Matang Bhd’s unit is expanding its durian plantation footprint through the acquisition of 10 adjacent parcels of agricultural land in Tangkak, Johor, for RM18.2 million in cash.
WCT Holdings Bhd has proposed a sukuk wakalah programme of up to RM5 billion to fund working capital and refinancing of borrowings.
PLS Plantations Bhd has signed agreements for partnership and research with Nippon Paper to explore development of large-scale eucalyptus farming in Malaysia.
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| Currency | Buy Rates (RM) | Sell Rates (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| USD | 3.932277 | 3.963987 |
| EUR | 4.650604 | 4.660205 |
| CNY | 0.568677 | 0.569294 |
| HKD | 0.503187 | 0.507262 |
| SGD | 3.087030 | 3.112039 |