Bursa edges higher despite weaker sentiment

Bursa Malaysia's benchmark index, the FBM KLCI, experienced a slight gain of 0.02% in early trade on Tuesday, rising 0.36 points to 1,596.11 from its previous close of 1,595.75. Despite the modest increase, broader market sentiment remained weak, with more stocks declining than advancing. The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 indices reported gains of 1.11% and 0.41%, respectively, driven by a rebound in artificial intelligence-related semiconductor and memory stocks.

However, weak market breadth and elevated US Treasury yields may restrict the positive impact, with the 10-year and 30-year yields sitting at approximately 5.15% and 5.48%, respectively. Apex Securities predicts the index will trade within a range, recommending selection of domestically driven and defensive stocks, while technology and energy sectors could rebound based on US semiconductor and oil prices.

Heavyweight stocks exhibited mixed performance, with Maybank, Public Bank, and CIMB showing slight gains, while Hong Leong Bank, TNB, and YTL Power experienced minor declines. Active trades saw gains for GIIB and Ni Hsin, while Top Glove and LYC experienced minor losses. Nestle led the top gainers, while KESM, Kerjaya Prospek, UWC, and Kim Hin were among the decliners.

Sector indices also experienced mixed results, with the Financial Services Index rising and the Industrial Products and Services Index edging up. The Plantation Index declined, and the Energy Index saw a slight increase.