Opening Daily Highlight
Mixed
Fed Outlook and AI Fears Keep Markets on Edge
Mon, 16-Feb-2026 07:43 am
by Research Team • Apex Research

Market Review & Outlook

Malaysia Market Review: The FBM KLCI to closed 0.65% lower as investors took profits ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year break amid softer regional cues. Market breadth remained negative, with 693 decliners outpacing 424 advancers. Sector-wise, Property (+0.32%) and Plantation (+0.26%) led gains while Technology (-1.28%) and Finance (-1.10%) were the main laggards.

 

Global Markets. Wall Street ended mixed on Friday, with the Dow (+0.10%) and S&P 500 (+0.05%) little changed while the Nasdaq (-0.22%) edged lower as investors digested a cooler-than-expected inflation reading for clues on the interest-rate path. Meanwhile, European equities closed lower after AI-related concerns triggered another sell-off on Wall Street overnight. Asian markets also declined, with the Nikkei 225 (-1.21%), Shanghai Composite (-1.26%) and Hang Seng Index (-1.72%) pressured by spillover from US tech weakness.

 

Market Outlook. Global markets remain cautious as softer-than-expected US inflation, with January CPI rising 2.4% YoY, has revived expectations of potential Federal Reserve rate cuts later in 2026. However, Wall Street remains volatile amid persistent concerns that AI-driven disruption could pressure valuations across both technology and traditional sectors such as financials, transportation, logistics and real estate. This uncertain external backdrop may temper risk appetite regionally, although Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 GDP growth of 6.3% YoY provides a supportive macro foundation. Nevertheless, we expect the local bourse to remain in a consolidative mode in the near term as investors await clearer global policy direction and fresh domestic catalysts.

 

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 and REITs sector remains favourable for its stable earnings visibility and attractive dividend yields.

 

FBMKLCI Technical Outlook

Technical Commentary: The FBM KLCI closed lower, forming a bearish candlestick, suggesting a mild selling pressure. Indicators remained mixed, with the MACD line trading below the signal line while the RSI remained above 50 at 55.98. The next resistance is located at 1,775, while support is envisaged around 1,725.

 

Company News (source: various)

Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd has secured a contract worth RM430.06 million in Cameron Highlands involving the construction of a bypass and the upgrading of federal roads. 

 

Berjaya Land Bhd said it will change its name to Berjaya Property Bhd after shareholders approved the proposal at an extraordinary general meeting on Friday. 

 

Catcha Digital Bhd has terminated its proposed RM34.96 million cash acquisition of a 92.5% stake in financial service firm Theta Service Partner Sdn Bhd, citing unsatisfactory findings during its due diligence review.

 

Ekovest Bhd has secured approval from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for a one-year extension to implement its exit plan from Konsortium Lebuhraya Utara-Timur (KL) Sdn Bhd (Kesturi), the concessionaire of the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke). 

 

GDB Holdings Bhd is acquiring three parcels of leasehold land in Kuching for RM32.72 million, marking its expansion into property development in Sarawak. 

 

Khee San Bhd said it will again seek shareholders' nod for its proposed share capital reduction exercise, part of the group's regularisation plan to exit its Practice Note 17 status, which had been approved in October 2024. 

 

KIP Real Estate Investment Trust will fund a RM160 million expansion of AEON Mall Kinta City in Perak to secure a 25-year lease from AEON Co (M) Bhd. 

 

Mayu Global Group Bhd said a RM24 million compound imposed on its 80%-owned unit Sunrise Manner Sdn Bhd was linked to a money laundering investigation involving Tang Thiam Hock, a director and 20% shareholder of the unit. 

 

MNRB Holdings Bhd’s net profit for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 rose 30.3% to RM151 million from RM115.9 million a year earlier, driven by improved contributions across all business segments. 

 

NexG Bhd has appointed a new auditor, PKF PLT, after an earlier choice to replace outgoing Baker Tilly Monteiro Heng PLT, SBY Partners PLT, declined the appointment. PKF consented to act as auditors for the company in a letter dated Feb 13.

 

Paramount Corporation Bhd’s net profit for FY2025 rose 16% to RM118.82 million from RM102.45 million a year earlier. 

 

Solarvest Holdings Bhd plans to more than double its generation capacity in the next two years, as declining battery costs enable further deployment of renewables. 

 

Trading of Scientex Packaging (Ayer Keroh) Bhd shares will be suspended from Feb 27, as its major shareholder, Scientex Bhd, moves to take the company private via a selective capital reduction. 

 

Tenaga Nasional Bhd has emerged as the biggest winner in the government’s bidding exercise for new gas power plants and extension of operations for existing ones. 

 

99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd closed its financial year ended Dec 31, 2025 with a record net profit of RM614.2 million, a 25.3% rise from a year earlier, on the back of its new stores and strong consumer spending on daily essentials, supported by various government social assistance initiatives.

Sentiment: Negative
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Market Mover
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EUR 4.633619 4.638750
CNY 0.565421 0.566170
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