Bursa Malaysia opens higher as bargain hunting lifts blue chips

At 9.10am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 4.50 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 1,627.85 from yesterday’s close of 1,623.35. The index opened 0.59 points firmer at 1,623.94. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

First Published: Wednesday, 14 Oct 2026 10:32 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Bursa Malaysia opened higher today, maintaining a cautious but positive tone, supported by continued bargain-hunting activities and resilient domestic fundamentals.

At 9.10am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 4.50 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 1,627.85 from yesterday’s close of 1,623.35. The index opened 0.59 points firmer at 1,623.94.

Across the broader market, losers outnumbered gainers 193 to 137, while 291 counters were unchanged, 2,234 were untraded, and 21 were suspended.

Turnover stood at 239.44 million units worth RM140.08 million.

Apex Securities Bhd said, however, that yesterday’s sharply negative market breadth, despite another day of KLCI gains, suggests that recovery remains concentrated in selected larger-cap names.

It also said persistent foreign selling and weakness across regional technology markets could limit further upside.

“Easing US Treasury yields and crude oil prices may provide some relief, although investors are likely to remain cautious ahead of key US inflation data.

“Overall, we expect the KLCI to remain range-bound with a selective trading bias, as domestic policy support offsets an uncertain global macro backdrop,” it said in a note.

On its sector focus, Apex Securities said financials may prove relatively resilient, supported by sustained buying interest in banking heavyweights, despite continued foreign selling pressure.

“Real estate investment trusts (REITs) could be supported by easing global bond yields, encouraging bargain hunting.

“Should geopolitical tensions renew in West Asia, energy names may trade favourably,” it added.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank added two sen to RM9.98, Public Bank rose three sen to RM4.73, CIMB gained seven sen to RM7.57, and IHH Healthcare was five sen higher at RM8.03.

Tenaga Nasional, however, eased by two sen to RM13.02.

In active trade, ACE market debutant Ecosys rose 46 sen to 73 sen, TWL inched up half a sen to 2.5 sen, Asteel gained one sen to 11 sen, while Jaks Resources was flat at 15 sen. Zetrix AI slid half a sen to six sen.

Among the top gainers, United Plantations gained 20 sen to RM30.80, Hengyuan added 14 sen to RM3.77, Mentiga and Fraser & Neave rose 12 sen each to 70 sen and RM20.28, respectively.

Among the top losers, Samaiden fell 32 sen to RM2.75, Solarvest lost 31 sen to RM3.79, Pekat was down 23 sen to RM2.68, while Northern Solar shed 11 sen to RM1.07.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index garnered 16.75 points to 12,123.49 and the FBM Top 100 Index strengthened 18.68 points to 11,917.14, while the FBM Mid 70 Index fell 32.60 points to 17,345.39, the FBM Emas Shariah Index declined 4.45 points to 12,070.02, and the FBM ACE Index weakened 45.96 points to 5,439.39.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index rose 75.64 points to 18,841.81, the Industrial Products and Services Index was 0.46 points higher to 180.16, and the Plantation Index firmed 1.07 points to 8,814.19. The Energy Index slipped 10.14 points to 824.92. — Bernama