Bursa Malaysia traded cautiously higher at midday, with the FBM KLCI inching up 0.05% to 1,632.49 at 12:.30 pm. The broader market followed a similar trend, as the FBM70 rose 0.31% to 17,007.94 while the FBMEMAS gained 0.12% to 12,120.63.
Trading was led by consumer and technology-related counters, with F&N surging 3% to RM32.00 and VSTECS climbing 6.4% to RM4.49. Other gainers included DLADY (+1.9% to RM27.80) and AEONCR (+3.3% to RM5.40). On the downside, Nestle fell 0.4% to RM112.50, while MPI and UTDPLT dipped 0.97% and 0.91% respectively. Active trading was seen in TWL, GENM and VS, reflecting strong retail interest.
Investors were encouraged by developments in the US, where the federal government reopened after a 42-day shutdown. Wall Street rallied overnight following the resolution, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.7% and the S&P 500 rising 0.8%, signalling a relief bounce that reverberated across Asian markets.
Technology and consumer-related sectors led the local gains, supported by recent strong earnings reports from companies like VSTECS Berhad, which posted a 32% rise in net profit for the third quarter, driven by enterprise systems, ICT services and distribution segments.
Meanwhile, market participants remained cautious ahead of the US inflation data scheduled for release later this week and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties affecting energy and commodities markets globally. The Ringgit traded stable against the US dollar, offering additional support to local equities sensitive to currency fluctuations.
Overall, sentiment in Bursa reflected a measured optimism, with investors balancing strong corporate earnings against external macroeconomic factors and upcoming global data releases.
