Market Overview
The FBM KLCI closed higher on Monday, April 28, 2025, climbing 12.39 points or 0.82% to 1,521.59, its highest level this month. This gain marks a recovery from the sell-off triggered by Trump’s Liberation Day announcement earlier in 2025, with easing US-China trade tensions boosting investor sentiment. The index hit an intraday low of 1,511.48 before rallying to its intraday peak. Trading volume on Bursa Malaysia reached 2.62 billion shares, valued at RM1.74 billion, with 519 gainers, 420 losers, and 436 counters unchanged. The KLCI is now up 1.4% over the past three trading sessions but remains down 7.5% year-to-date.
Movers and Shakers
The image and text provide a detailed snapshot of stock movements on Bursa Malaysia:
- Top Gainers (by Value):
- Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd surged 48 sen to RM28.00, reflecting strong consumer goods demand.
- Nestle Malaysia Bhd rose 38 sen to RM80.38, bolstered by stable earnings.
- Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd gained 36 sen to RM17.80, driven by tech sector optimism.
- Petronas Gas Bhd climbed 34 sen to RM17.24, aligning with earlier gains of 2.06% noted in prior sessions.
- Top Losers (by Value):
- Ideal Capital Bhd fell 29 sen to RM3.71, impacted by market corrections.
- F&N (Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd) dropped 26 sen to RM26.40, facing consumer spending headwinds.
- Arka Bhd declined 16 sen to RM1.19, reflecting weaker investor confidence.
- Can-One Bhd lost 15 sen to RM2.05, affected by sector-specific challenges.
- KLCI Constituents:
- Petronas Chemicals continued its upward trend, closing at RM5.89 (up 3.28% previously).
- Maybank added 12 sen to RM9.99, despite a slight 0.80% dip in earlier sessions.
- Public Bank gained 9 sen to RM4.37, showing resilience.
- Axiata saw a 2.42% decline earlier, though specific daily movement isn’t noted.
- MR DIY closed at RM1.64, down 1.20% previously, reflecting cautious consumer sentiment.
Policy and Economic Impacts
Global Trade Dynamics
The KLCI’s recovery is largely attributed to easing US-China trade tensions, a shift from earlier fears of Trump’s tariff policies that led to RM10 billion in foreign outflows in Q1 2025. The recent pause in US reciprocal tariffs (noted in prior sessions) added RM73 billion to Bursa Malaysia’s market cap on April 10. However, uncertainty lingers, with Malaysia’s central bank holding its 4.5–5.5% GDP growth forecast pending further clarity on US trade policies.
Domestic and Regional Factors
The ringgit strengthened to 4.3652 against the USD (up 0.19%), a significant improvement from 4.4698 earlier in the month, reflecting renewed investor confidence. However, it slipped 0.17% against the SGD to 3.3197. Malaysia’s central bank remains cautious, monitoring external demand amid weaker global trade. Regionally, MSCI’s Asia ex-Japan index rose 0.38%, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 0.38% and South Korea’s Kospi up 0.1%, though Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s CSI 300 dipped slightly by 0.04% and 0.14%, respectively.
Sentiment and Outlook
Market sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with foreign funds returning (RM330 million net inflow last week, as noted previously). The KLCI is now just 1% below its pre-tariff level from early April. Support levels are seen at 1,505–1,513, with resistance at 1,526–1,531. Investors are advised to focus on defensive stocks like Telekom Malaysia, which has shown strong fundamentals with a high ROE and 22% net income growth over five years. The “V-shaped recovery” narrative on X continues to gain traction, though global trade uncertainties warrant vigilance.
Conclusion
The KLCI’s upward movement on April 28 reflects a broader recovery driven by global trade relief and domestic resilience. Stocks like Dutch Lady and Petronas Gas are leading the charge, while decliners like Ideal Capital highlight lingering challenges. For klci.net readers, staying informed on US trade policy developments and focusing on fundamentally strong stocks will be key to navigating the market’s next phase.