Markets

KUALA LUMPUR — Bursa Malaysia closed slightly higher today as investors digested corporate earnings releases and monitored regional market developments.

At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) added 2.66 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 1,614.20 from Wednesday’s close of 1,611.54.

The benchmark index opened 2.62 points higher at 1,614.16 and moved between 1,611.62 and 1,615.18 throughout the trading session.

Market breadth was negative with 607 losers trouncing 393 gainers, while 514 counters were unchanged, 1,196 untraded, and 101 suspended.

Turnover increased to 3.46 billion units worth RM2.62 billion compared with 2.73 billion units worth RM2.37 billion on Wednesday.

IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer and utilities counters led the gainers among key index constituents, reflecting continued optimism towards Malaysia’s economic prospects and trade outlook.

“Across the region, Asian markets were mixed following the meeting between United States President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping in South Korea, which resulted in a broad agreement to ease trade tensions.

“Globally, sentiment remained cautious despite the US Federal Reserve reducing its federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75–4.00 per cent, signalling a more accommodative stance amid signs of slowing global growth,” he told Bernama.

On the local front, Mohd Sedek noted that sentiment turned more cautious after Bursa Malaysia Bhd reported softer earnings for the first nine months of 2025 and a downward revision to its full-year performance targets, which suggests ongoing normalisation in trading activity. 

Among heavyweights, Maybank and Tenaga Nasional rose two sen each to RM9.89 and RM13.32 respectively, Public Bank added three sen to RM4.22, while CIMB Group slipped seven sen to RM7.31, and IHH Healthcare eased five sen to RM8.20.

On the most actives list, Borneo Oil, Zetrix AI and TWL Holdings were all unchanged at half-a-sen, 81.5 sen, and 2.5 sen, respectively. Perak Transit eased two sen to 36.5 sen and Tanco added half-a-sen to 93 sen.

Top gainers included Nestle which surged RM1.30 to RM110.50, Chin Teck Plantations advanced 42 sen to RM11.74, LEAP Market debutant LPC Group soared 40 sen to 50 sen, Petronas Dagangan climbed 38 sen to RM22.68, and United Plantations firmed 36 sen to RM24.64.

Among the top losers, Malaysian Pacific Industries tumbled 86 sen to RM30.26, LTKM declined 12 sen to RM1.44, Oriental Holdings shed 10 sen to RM6.83, Heitech Padu slipped nine sen to RM1.91, and Southern Cable lost eight sen to RM2.04. — BERNAMA

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BURSA MALAYSIA Bhd’s net profit rose 13.5% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) to RM63.8 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2025 (3Q25), from RM56.2 million in the preceding quarter, driven by stronger trading activity on its Securities Market.

Profit before tax (PBT) increased to RM86.3 million in 3Q25, compared with RM76 million in 2Q25, supported by a 13.1% rise in the average daily trading value (ADV) for on-market trades to RM2.6 billion, from RM2.3 billion.

Revenue for the quarter rose 5.3% q-o-q to RM183.8 million, from RM174.6 million in 2Q25, but was 7.4% lower year-on-year (y-o-y) compared with RM198.5 million in 3Q24.

Operating revenue came in at RM177.8 million, up from RM169.1 million in the previous quarter.

For the nine-month period (9M25), Bursa’s profit after tax, zakat and minority interest (PATAMI) stood at RM189.3 million, down 21.5% from RM241.2 million a year earlier.

Operating revenue declined 10.4% to RM518.1 million from RM578.5 million, while total revenue fell 10.3% to RM536.9 million from RM598.4 million.

Total operating expenses increased 3.5% y-o-y to RM282.8 million, mainly due to higher information technology (IT) maintenance and other operating costs, partly offset by lower staff costs.

The weaker year-to-date performance was primarily attributed to a 25% fall in Securities Market trading revenue to RM225.2 million, from RM300.3 million in 9M2024, following a 25.6% drop in ADV for on-market trades to RM2.5 billion from RM3.4 billion.

“Global developments impacting market sentiment led to a decline in ADV in 9M25; however, we are beginning to see improvement as greater clarity emerged from the United States tariff negotiations, with Securities Market trading revenue rising 13.3% quarter-on-quarter,” said Bursa Malaysia CEO Datuk Fad’l Mohamed.

“In 9M25, our derivatives and BSAS trading, as well as other trading and non-trading revenue sources, continued to see growth, providing resilience and demonstrating the value of the Exchange’s strategy of broadening offerings across multiple asset classes,” he added.

Fad’l said the exchange’s outlook is supported by “Malaysia’s robust economic fundamentals and capital market ecosystem, alongside accommodative monetary policy and clear government policies aimed at strengthening priority sectors.”

During the nine-month period, Bursa welcomed 41 new listings, collectively raising RM4.4 billion and adding RM22.3 billion to overall market capitalisation.

On Aug 1, 2025, it achieved a milestone with the secondary listing of UMS Integration Ltd — the first Singapore Exchange-listed company to list on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market.

Revenue from the Derivatives Market rose 2.8% y-o-y to RM83.1 million, from RM80.9 million previously, mainly due to higher Crude Palm Oil Futures (FCPO) trading volumes.

The increase was “primarily attributable to the delayed implementation of Indonesia’s B40 biodiesel policy and lower crude palm oil production in Malaysia, which spurred hedging activity among commercial participants,” Bursa said.

Operating revenue from the Islamic Market jumped 30% to RM16.9 million from RM13 million, driven by higher Bursa Suq Al-Sila’ (BSAS) trading revenue of RM15 million from RM12.3 million.

Trading revenue from Bursa Gold Dinar more than doubled to RM1.9 million from RM0.7 million, following increased gold transaction volumes.

In line with shifting market conditions, Bursa has revised its headline key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2025.

“The KPI for PBT is now set between RM314 million and RM347 million, compared to the previous range of RM369 million to RM408 million.

“The KPI for total IPO market capitalisation has been revised to RM25.2 billion, from RM40.2 billion previously,” it said.

All other headline KPIs remain unchanged, and Bursa said it continues to lead ASEAN in terms of number of IPOs.

Looking ahead, the exchange said it remains focused on advancing its strategy to become a multi-asset exchange, with priorities including strengthening its fundraising platform, enhancing market vibrancy and liquidity, and expanding its data business. — TMR

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