Bursa Malaysia opened higher today. Optimism over easing West Asia conflict lifted sentiment. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (KLCI) rose early. It traded between 1,705 and 1,720. This followed Wednesday’s close at 1,708.90. Trading volume started moderate. Gainers led early trade. This shows resilience amid global oil swings.
Movers and Shakers
Energy and tech stocks drove early gains. For example, Petronas Chemicals added strength on stable feedstock. Malaysian Pacific Industries rose on semiconductor demand. Allianz gained on insurance resilience. On the other hand, some consumer names eased slightly. High-volume actives featured energy and cyclicals. Analysts expect continued consolidation. They keep the year-end target at 1,772-1,880 points. Reforms and earnings growth support this.
Policy Changes Impacting KLCI and Malaysia’s Market
No new policies emerged today. The Madani government continues its “year of implementation” push in 2026. The New Incentive Framework links manufacturing incentives to results. It began on March 1. The Capital Market Masterplan targets RM6.3 trillion market size by 2030. Budget 2026 expands SST and adds carbon tax. GEAR-uP aims for RM120 billion investments by 2028. This supports 4.3-4.5% GDP growth. OPR stays at 2.75%. Globally, US tariffs remain at 19% on Malaysia. Exemptions protect 60% of exports through the October 2025 deal.
Other News Potentially Impacting KLCI or Malaysia’s Market
The ringgit stayed stable near its 5-8 year high below RM4/USD. This boosts inflows. Manufacturing PMI hit a 20-month high of 50.2 in January. Producer prices fell 2.7% in December 2025. This shows low inflation. Q4 2025 GDP grew fast on domestic demand. 2026 growth forecast holds at 4.3-4.5%. AI data centres strengthen Malaysia as a China+1 hub. Renewables see more M&A. Industrial property leads the market. Sukuk issuance stays strong. Middle East tensions and oil volatility are watchpoints. Domestic reforms and oil reserve releases provide buffers.
Overall, the KLCI shows resilience. Selective buying helps. Domestic strengths support stability amid external volatility.