KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — Bursa Malaysia rebounded from yesterday’s loss to close higher today, amid a regional market performance lifted by hopes for more stimulus measures from China.

At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 10.38 points to 1,454.44 from 1,444.06 at yesterday’s close.

The barometer index opened 0.59 of a point lower at 1,443.47 and moved between 1,441.52 and 1,455.80 throughout the day.

On the broader market, gainers outpaced decliners 535 to 505, while 388 counters were unchanged, 951 untraded and 71 others suspended.

Turnover decreased to 4.02 billion units worth RM2.85 billion against yesterday’s 4.46 billion units worth RM2.84 billion.

SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said the FBM KLCI experienced a decent uptick today, ahead of a week of important economic data from the United States.

Key US economic readings this week could provide further clarity on the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision on interest rates.

“Notably, the rally in Chinese shares continued for a second consecutive session, fuelled by conjecture surrounding potential additional stimulus actions, and this has aided local markets that drew inspiration from Wall Street’s positive performance (overnight).

“Market participants remained attuned to any indications of further stimulus interventions in China, which could propel the broader (market) higher,” he told Bernama.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank added nine sen to RM9.09, Public Bank gained six sen to RM4.14 and CIMB inched up three sen to RM5.63.

Tenaga Nasional gained two sen to RM9.92, and Petronas Chemicals added 19 sen to RM7.19.

Tenaga’s share price was indirectly boosted today after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged the commitment, professionalism, and dedication of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) in supporting the nation’s energy transition ambition.

He noted that Malaysia needs to focus on the importance of international collaborations in expediting the energy transition initiative as collective efforts could drive positive change for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

Of the actives, Iskandar Waterfront City went up 10 sen to 76 sen, Ekovest edged up half-a-sen to 50 sen, and Eastern & Oriental was four sen higher at 63.5 sen.

RGB International dropped half-a-sen to 30.5 sen and Parkson was 6.5 sen weaker at 25 sen.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index gained 66.29 points to 10,747.81, the FBMT100 Index added 66.42 points to 10,422.53 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index was up by 35.92 points to 10,953.96.

The FBM 70 Index climbed 57.24 points to 14,266.11 and the FBM ACE Index went up 18.00 points to 5,256.47.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index jumped 137.24 points to 16,328.73, the Industrial Products and Services Index was higher by 1.88 points to 172.78 and the Energy Index fell 4.46 points to 832.31.

The Plantation Index shed by 7.58 points to 6,941.50.

The Main Market volume slipped to 3.05 billion units worth RM2.58 billion from yesterday’s 3.36 billion units worth RM2.57 billion.

Warrant turnover dropped to 358.80 million units worth RM56.04 million against 465.56 million units worth RM69.95 million previously.

The ACE Market volume narrowed to 598.89 million shares worth RM204.88 million from 621.42 million shares worth RM205.02 million yesterday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 745.28 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (492.69 million); construction (334.90 million); technology (147.02 million); SPAC (nil); financial services (70.99 million); property (641.94 million); plantation (39.60 million); REITs (15.91 million), closed/fund (3,900); energy (231.92 million); healthcare (86.49 million); telecommunications and media (40.30 million); transportation and logistics (54.99 million); and utilities (152.92 million). — Bernama