The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) paused its recent upward momentum this Friday, closing marginally lower as investors cashed in on gains following a five-day winning streak. In a holiday-shortened trading week, market participation remained thin, with many institutional players on the sidelines for the year-end break.
Here is your daily blended news wrap-up for December 26, 2025.
Market Snapshot
- FBM KLCI Close: 1,677.10 (Down 1.21 points / 0.07%)
- Market Sentiment: Cautious. Decliners outpaced gainers (504 to 377).
- Volume: Low, typical of “holiday mood” trading (1.59 billion shares valued at RM1.29 billion).
Despite the dip, the index managed to stay above the psychological 1,670 support level, suggesting that the underlying sentiment remains resilient heading into 2026.
Movers and Shakers
While the broader market drifted lower, specific sectors saw significant activity. Construction and materials were the clear winners today, while plantations took a hit.
Top Gainers (The “Concrete” Rally):
- Malayan Cement Bhd: Surged 29 sen to close at RM7.63.
- Hume Cement Industries: Gained 20 sen to RM3.35.
- Hong Leong Bank: Added 18 sen to RM22.42, providing some support to the index.
- Malaysian Pacific Industries (MPI): Rose notably, tracking the global tech resilience.
Top Losers:
- BLD Plantation: The biggest loser of the day, tumbling 88 sen to RM14.42.
- Panasonic Manufacturing: Shed 20 sen to settle at RM7.00.
- PLB Engineering: Dropped 20 sen to RM0.80.
Most Active Counters:
- Bina Puri, Tanco, and Velesto Energy dominated the volume lists, driven by retail interest in lower-priced stocks.
Global & Policy Impact
1. Wall Street’s “Santa Rally” Effect Global sentiment remains buoyant as US markets reopened post-Christmas with the S&P 500 hovering near record highs. The resilience in US tech stocks (particularly AI-linked names like Nvidia) is spilling over into local tech counters like MPI, keeping the technology index afloat despite the broader market lull.
2. Governance & Politics: Najib Razak Sentencing A significant headline grabbing global attention today is the sentencing of former Prime Minister Najib Razak to 15 years regarding the 1MDB scandal. While the market has largely priced in political risk, this decisive judicial conclusion may be viewed by foreign investors as a positive step toward governance stability, potentially aiding the Ringgit’s long-term strength.
3. Economic Outlook: 2026 Adjustments Investors are already positioning for the 2026 policy shifts, specifically the targeted RON95 subsidy rationalization expected mid-year. The recent strength of the Ringgit (hitting levels not seen since 2021) is providing a buffer against imported inflation, a key narrative to watch as we close the year.
The Bottom Line
Today’s dip is a healthy correction on low volume. The “Cement Rally” suggests smart money is betting on continued infrastructure projects in 2026. As liquidity returns next week, the 1,680 resistance level will be the key barrier to break.