Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Friday.

FBM KLCI up 0.18% to 1,509.20 on April 25, 2025

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Thursday.

FBM KLCI up 0.36% to 1,506.52 on April 24, 2025

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Wednesday.

FBM KLCI closes above 1,500-level on April 23, 2025

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Tuesday.

FBM KLCI slips 0.88% to 1,486.25 on April 22, 2025 

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Monday.

FBM KLCI ends flat at 1,499.47 on April 21, 2025

FBM KLCI rises over two-week high to 1,499.40 on April 18, 2025

FBM KLCI up 0.43% to 1,483.27 on April 17, 2025

FBM KLCI down 0.64% to 1,476.92 on April 16, 2025

FBM KLCI up 0.38% to 1,486.43 on April 15, 2025

FBM KLCI up 1.79% to 1,480.86 on April 14, 2025

FBM KLCI down 0.57% to 1,454.76 on April 11, 2025

FBM KLCI surges 4.47% to 1,463.13 on April 10, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR (April 9): The FBM KLCI extended its losing streak on Wednesday, plunging past the 1,400 level amid broad-based sell-offs across global markets, as US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs came into force at 12:01pm local time.

 

The benchmark index, which opened 6.55 points or 0.5% lower at 1,437.01, skidded to as low as 1,386.63 in the afternoon — its weakest level since June 2023, before regaining some losses to close at 1,400.59 — still down 42.97 points or 2.98%.

Among the top laggards on the 30-stock FBM KLCI were CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB), which fell 4.94%; Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (KL:METAL), which dropped 4.92%; and Gamuda Bhd, which declined 4.77%.

The FBM Mid 70 Index — which tracks the next 70 largest companies listed on Bursa by market capitalisation after FBM KLCI constituents — dropped 2.71%. The FBM ACE Index, which tracks ACE Market listees, slid 3.89%. The broader FBM Emas Index shed 2.88%.

SumiSaujana Group Bhd (KL:SUMI), which made its ACE Market debut on Wednesday, was caught in the whirlwind, plunging 25% or six sen to close at 18 sen, compared to its initial public offer price of 24 sen per share.

All the sectoral indices on Bursa were in the red, with the top five largest losers being the Energy Index (down 4.94%), followed by the Financial Services Index (3.92%), the Industrial Products and Services Index (3.66%),  the Technology Index (3.65%) and the Construction Index (3.41%).

Throughout Bursa, 919 decliners outnumbered 224 gainers, while 320 counters remained unchanged. Trading volume rose to 3.77 billion shares worth RM3.79 billion from 3.32 billion shares valued at RM2.83 billion on Tuesday.

This is still lower than Monday's panic-driven trading volume of 5.35 billion shares, valued at RM4.67 billion, when Malaysian stocks lost RM93.15 billion amid a steep sell-off that saw the FBM KLCI dropping by as much as 5.65%, its largest single-day drop since the global financial crisis in 2008.

Sentiment for the Malaysian stock market remains fragile, with additional downside risks ahead if the ongoing tariff dispute persists, recession fears grow, or commodity prices — crucial to the nation’s economy — further decline, according to Fortress Capital founder and CEO Datuk Thomas Yong.

Oil prices have skidded over the past week. At the time of writing on Wednesday, Brent Crude was at US$60.18 per barrel — the lowest since February 2021, down over 4%. Malaysia's Budget 2025 assumes a global oil price forecast of US$75-80 per barrel.

“Historically, markets can stabilise after such steep drops if clarity emerges, but that seems unlikely for now, with mixed signals from the Trump administration and China vowing not to back off from further trade retaliation,” Yong told The Edge.

 

Maybank Investment Bank, in a note, advised caution, noting that most sectors are still in a downtrend as attention shifts to the upcoming US consumer price index data.

Still relatively shielded

Malacca Securities' Loui Low, meanwhile, told The Edge that further downside risks are limited, as investors have priced in Trump's latest actions. Should there be no further retaliatory measures, the market could recover, Low said.

He suggested focusing on domestic sectors like construction, renewables, utilities, real estate investment trusts and consumer stocks. For export-oriented plays, he highlighted the glove sector due to the relatively favourable tariff Malaysian manufacturers face, compared to the much steeper Chinese ones.

Malaysian goods face a 24% tariff in the US, while China's goods have been slapped with an 84% levy after the Trump administration imposed an additional 50% duty on Chinese products in response to China's retaliatory 34% duties on US goods.

Rakuten Trade's Kenny Yee said the Malaysian market is relatively shielded from global risks, with lower volatility. He recommended focusing on blue chips, particularly in the banking sector.

CIMB Securities, meanwhile, listed Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA), CTOS Digital Bhd (KL:CTOS) and MyEG Services Bhd (KL:MYEG) as companies that remain unaffected by the US tariffs.

 

More to come

FBM KLCI tumbles past 1,400 as Trump's tariffs kick in

FBM KLCI hits 20-month low, down 2.98% to 1,400.59 on April 9, 2025

(April 28): China's Huawei Technologies is preparing to test its newest and most powerful artificial-intelligence processor, hoping to replace some higher-end products of U.S. chip giant Nvidia, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

Huawei has approached some Chinese tech...

China's Huawei develops new AI chip, seeking to match Nvidia, WSJ reports

It was a fairly quiet day at the pub, and the bartender was busy looking at some charts on his tablet. Upon my query, he suddenly became chatty, raving about gold prices and the value of his investments.

In January this year, he invested in gold through an online platform that is based ...

Alternative Views: The glittery carat entices, but beware of the stick

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Close to half of Malaysian employers plan to grow their permanent staff size in the first half of the year (1H2025), according to a survey conducted by Jobstreet by SEEK in its latest Hiring, Compensation & Benefits Report.

Half of Malaysian employers want more permanent staff in 1H2025 — survey

Aster Chemicals and Energy, the new operator of the Bukom refining complex, is planning to bid for Exxon Mobil's petrol stations in Singapore, five people with knowledge of the matter said, as the refiner seeks retail fuel sales outlets.

Aster Chemicals to bid for Exxon Mobil's Singapore fuel stations — Reuters

LONDON (April 27): Confidence among people in Britain about the economy over the next 12 months has fallen to the lowest on record, polling firm Ipsos MORI said on Sunday, with only a small number expecting improvement over the period.

Seventy-five percent of Britons expect the economy ...

Britons' confidence in economy falls to lowest since at least 1978, Ipsos MORI poll shows

US tariffs will have multiplier effects that will "generate a broader negative income and demand shock to the Singapore economy", the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in its macroeconomic review released on Monday.

US tariffs will cause demand shock to Singapore economy — MAS

The Public Services Department (JPA) will introduce a new academic merit-based sponsorship model to replace the current job placement merit system for pre-service training (LSP) programmes, effective June 1, 2025.

JPA introduces new academic merit-based sponsorship model starting June

Last week, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that Malaysia is expanding its elective language offerings in schools to include Asean languages such as Thai, Khmer and Vietnamese.

Frankly Speaking: Let’s not spread ourselves too thin

I just returned from a trip to Washington, DC. I believe the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) team had productive engagement sessions on April 24 with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer.

Malaysia stands rea...

My Say: JS-SEZ is poised to bridge supply chain barriers amid the global tariff storm

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s (KL:ASTRO) stock rose on Monday to its highest in more than a month, after the pay-television operator reached a federal tax settlement agreement.

Astro Malaysia shares top one-month high on tax settlement agreement

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd’s (KL:ASTRO) stock rose on Monday to its highest in more than a month, after the pay-television operator reached a federal tax settlement agreement.&nbsp;

Singapore lenders are taking advantage of recent weakness in their share prices to purchase stock, making up the bulk of total corporate buybacks that are set to be the biggest in the city-state in four years.

Singapore banks dominate surge in share buybacks

Asian share markets and the dollar made a cautious start on Monday as confusion over US trade policy showed little sign of easing, in a week packed with major economic data and mega-tech earnings.

Asian shares edge up; dollar at mercy of US trade whims

SINGAPORE (April 28): Oil prices inched up in early trade on Monday but remained dogged by uncertainty over trade talks between the US and China clouding the outlook for global growth and fuel demand, while the prospect of Opec+ raising its supply cast more gloom.

Oil edges up despite murky economic outlook, potential Opec+ supply hike

The Federal Court on Monday gave permission to hear Attorney General (AG) Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar’s challenge against a Court of Appeal decision that allowed Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s appeal for a judicial review of the alleged house arrest addendum to be heard.

AG gets nod from Federal Court to challenge Najib’s house arrest bid 

(April 28):&nbsp;Asian economies geared for exports and facing some of the highest US “reciprocal” tariffs are leading the way over their western counterparts in trade negotiations with the Trump administration.

Asia takes lead in race for interim deals to avoid Trump tariffs

(April 27): US President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that his sweeping tariffs would help him reduce income taxes for people making less than US$200,000 (RM875.462) a year, as public anxiety rises over his economic agenda.

Trump floats new income tax cut in bid to ease tariffs bite

Supercomnet Technologies Bhd’s (KL:SCOMNET) net profit could grow as much as 30% in the first quarter thanks to stronger sales to the medical segment as it shrugs off worries of US tariffs, TA Securities said.

Supercomnet's 1Q net profit could grow up to 30%, shrug off trade tensions — TA

President Donald Trump urged Russia on Sunday to stop its attacks in Ukraine while his top diplomat said the United States might walk away from peace efforts if it does not see progress.

Trump urges Russia to stop attacks; Rubio says US might walk away from peace efforts

STOCKHOLM (April 28): World military expenditure reached US$2.72 trillion (RM11.9 trillion) in 2024, an increase of 9.4% from 2023 and the steepest year-on-year rise since at least the end of the Cold War, according to a report released by a leading conflict think tank on Monday.

World military spending hits US$2.7 trillion in record 2024 surge

When the leaders of some of the world's largest companies flocked to Beijing for a business forum last month, their main purpose was a coveted meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Amid Trump tariffs, China's trade and economy tsar steps into spotlight

Singapore is negotiating concessions for pharmaceutical exports to the US while ensuring it still has access to high-end AI chips from the American market, said Trade and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Singapore negotiating for US concessions on pharmaceuticals, chips 

S&amp;P Global Ratings warned Australia’s prized AAA sovereign credit rating may be at risk if election campaign pledges result in larger structural deficits, debt and interest costs, highlighting fiscal pressures facing the next government.

S&P warns Australia’s AAA rating at risk from election promises

The Public Services Department (JPA) will introduce a new academic merit-based sponsorship model to replace the current job placement merit system for pre-service training (LSP) programmes, effective June 1, 2025.

PUTRAJAYA (April 28): Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived on Sunday for a four-day official visit to Malaysia, was accorded an official welcoming ceremony at Perdana Putra Complex here on Monday.

Maldives president accorded official welcome at Perdana Putra

China’s State Council approved 10 new reactors on Sunday in a vote of confidence for nuclear power to remain central to the nation’s clean energy transition.

China approves 10 new reactors in nuclear power ramp-up

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Former Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim has withdrawn his legal action challenging the cessation of his membership from his former party, Bersatu.

Ex-Nenggiri assemblyman drops lawsuit over cessation from Bersatu

WASHINGTON (April 27): Global finance leaders came to Washington this past week, seeking clarity on what it would take to get some relief from President Donald Trump's multi-layered tariff assault and on just how much pain it will bring to the world economy.

IMF-World Bank meetings end with little tariff clarity, but economic foreboding

KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): Close to half of Malaysian employers plan to grow their permanent staff size in the first half of the year (1H2025), according to a survey conducted by Jobstreet by SEEK in its latest Hiring, Compensation &amp; Benefits Report.

Australia's Lynas Rare Earths on Monday missed market estimates for its third-quarter gross sales revenue, hit by lower rare earths market pricing and global trade volatility.

Market Close

‌
‌

Market Close

‌‌

‌
‌