KUALA LUMPUR (July 28): The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Futures (FKLI) contract registered an all-time high in daily trading volume of 71,689 contracts on Thursday (July 27), surpassing the previous record of 66,887 contracts posted on May 27, 2021.

In a statement, Bursa Malaysia Derivatives said the open interest for FKLI also soared to 73,519 contracts, surpassing the previous record of 67,261 contracts on Sept 28, 2015.

The FKLI exposes the underlying FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) to institutional and retail investors.  

"This historical trading volume record follows market optimism driven by the possible anticipation that the recent US Federal Reserve decision to increase its benchmark interest rate might mark the final raise in the current cycle, as well as the recent launch of the Madani economic framework," said Bursa Malaysia Derivatives.

Bursa Malaysia's director of derivatives market, Mohd Saleem Kader Bakas, said the exchange is encouraged by investors leveraging Bursa Malaysia Derivatives products in response to developments in the global financial landscape.

"The exchange remains steadfast in its commitment to continually expand the product offerings to suit evolving investors’ needs,” he added.

Bursa Malaysia shares settled up one sen or 0.15% at RM6.67 on Friday (July 28), giving the company a market capitalisation of RM5.4 billion.