Kuala Lumpur, September 24, 2025 – The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) closed marginally lower today, slipping 0.24% or 3.89 points to end at 1,599.66, down from yesterday’s close of 1,603.55. This pullback comes as investors shifted focus toward smaller-cap stocks, with broader market turnover improving to 3.62 billion units worth RM3.28 billion – a slight uptick from prior sessions. The index opened lower at 1,600.09 and hovered above the 1,600 psychological level through midday before easing off amid mild profit-taking, tracking a subdued Wall Street close. Year-to-date, the KLCI remains down 2.40%, reflecting ongoing caution in a globally uncertain environment.
Key Market Snapshot
Bursa Malaysia’s trading session showed mixed breadth, with 519 gainers outpacing 495 decliners, signaling resilient underlying sentiment despite the benchmark’s dip. Total trading value rose to RM3.28 billion from RM3.16 billion yesterday, while volume edged up to 3.62 billion shares. The broader market’s ringgit strengthened slightly against the USD, closing at 4.2140 – up 0.35% YTD – buoyed by steady inflows into emerging markets.
| Bursa Malaysia Key Indices | Close (Points) | One-Day Change (%) | YTD Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBM KLCI | 1,599.62 | -0.24 | -2.40 |
| FBM Small Cap | 16,855.76 | 1.00 | -7.30 |
| FBM ACE | 5,962.37 | 1.13 | -5.90 |
Movers and Shakers: Spotlight on Volume and Value Leaders
Activity concentrated in mid- and small-cap names, with technology and consumer sectors driving gains while financials lagged. Here’s a blended view of today’s top performers, incorporating Bursa data and intraday highlights:
Top 10 Active Stocks by Volume (Shares in ‘000s):
| Company | Volume (Shares ‘000s) | One-Day Change (RM) | Volume (000s) | YTD Change (%) | Market Cap (RM Mil) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XPB (Most Active) | 1,470.9 | -0.025 | 0.225 | 50.00 | 520.3 |
| Press Metal Aluminium | 450.0 | 1.74 | 12.38 | 19.83 | 48,610.0 |
| PPB Group | 220.0 | 0.36 | 8.34 | -16.72 | 22,154.0 |
| SLIME Darbys | 210.0 | -2.73 | 27.47 | -8.69 | 15,850.0 |
| MIAS | 180.0 | -1.63 | 23.04 | -21.00 | 28,250.0 |
| Gamuda | 150.0 | -0.41 | 7.11 | 18.14 | 32,760.0 |
Top 10 Gainers by Value (RM):
| Company | Close (RM) | One-Day Change (RM) | Volume (000s) | YTD Change (%) | Market Cap (RM Mil) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsberg Brewery | 23.30 | 3.70 | 134.52 | 19.73 | 23,550.0 |
| Malaysian Pacific | 27.70 | 2.40 | 4.71 | -15.49 | 9,741.0 |
| Heineken Malaysia | 21.00 | 2.20 | 18.46 | 21.28 | 6,946.0 |
| Kelayan Group | 5.50 | 0.70 | 49.31 | 35.46 | 4,925.0 |
| Vestech | 1.30 | 0.40 | 331.91 | -24.74 | 1,203.0 |
Top 10 Losers by Value (RM):
| Company | Close (RM) | One-Day Change (RM) | Volume (000s) | YTD Change (%) | Market Cap (RM Mil) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo Food Holdings | 6.20 | -2.02 | 50.2 | -6.27 | 502.4 |
| Sunway Construction | 1.82 | -0.15 | 235.53 | -32.98 | 834.7 |
| Kuala Lumpur Kepong | 18.50 | -0.10 | 357.28 | -41.18 | 19,557.0 |
| TSI | 13.80 | -0.12 | 430.89 | -11.21 | 7,449.1 |
| DKLS Industries | 1.70 | -0.10 | 362.45 | -3.67 | 1,599.7 |
Notable standouts included Press Metal Aluminium, which surged on aluminum price rebounds tied to global commodity upticks, while consumer plays like Carlsberg and Heineken rallied amid festive season optimism. On the flip side, food processors like Apollo Food faced pressure from rising input costs.
Policy Watch: Steady Domestic Reforms, Global Fed Echoes
No major policy announcements hit the wires today, but the market digested ongoing tailwinds from Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) steady hand at the September 4 Monetary Policy Committee meeting, where the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) held at 2.75% – a neutral stance signaling no immediate easing despite moderating inflation. This supports liquidity without overheating, a boon for rate-sensitive sectors like property and banking.
Looking ahead, Malaysia’s freshly unveiled 2026–2030 National Plan injects RM611 billion into high-growth areas like semiconductors and tax reforms, potentially supercharging tech and export plays in the KLCI. Globally, lingering optimism around the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate cuts (priced in for late 2025) continues to buoy emerging markets, though downside risks from U.S.-China trade frictions could cap upside. Fiscal consolidation remains on track, with foreign bond inflows stabilizing after July’s RM5.5 billion outflow – a positive for ringgit-denominated assets.
Q2 earnings wrapped positively, with 80% of KLCI components meeting expectations, up from 53% in Q1, underscoring corporate resilience. Investors should watch upcoming data releases, including September PMI and U.S. jobs figures, for directional cues.
In summary, today’s mild retreat masks underlying strength in small caps and policy stability. With valuations appealing (KLCI forward P/E at ~13x) and dividends yielding 4-5%, the index eyes a potential rebound toward 1,609 if global risk appetite holds. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s open – Bursa could test 1,600 support early.
Data as at 5pm, September 24, 2025. Source: Bloomberg, Bursa Malaysia.