Bursa Malaysia ends lower as selling pressure in oil-related counters weighs - The Star
Bursa Malaysia ends lower as selling pressure in oil-related counters weighs The Star
Source: The Star · Bernama · August 13, 2026 at 3:58 PM · AI-assisted report
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 AUGUST 2026 —
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KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended on a softer note on Thursday, as selling pressure in oil-related counters weighed on the benchmark index following the rally in the previous session. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slid 6.90 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 1,734.71 compared with Wednesday’s close of 1,741.61.
Market Impact
The decline in the benchmark index was attributed to the selling pressure in oil-related counters, which offset the gains in other sectors. The benchmark index opened 1.18 points higher at 1,742.79 and fluctuated between 1,732.83 and 1,742.79 throughout the day. On the broader market, losers trounced gainers 703 to 410, while 603 counters were unchanged, 1,082 untraded and 15 suspended.
Turnover decreased to 3.51 billion units valued at RM3.05 billion from 3.70 billion units valued at RM3.27 billion on Wednesday.
According to IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan, overall sentiment remained fragile amid lingering concerns over the global economic outlook and regional headwinds. However, the softer United States inflation provided some relief to the broader risk environment. The US consumer inflation eased to 3.4 per cent year-on-year in July from 3.5 per cent previously, in line with expectations, as energy price pressures moderated.
This development reduced expectations of a further US Federal Reserve tightening and offered some support to global risk appetite.
The performance of heavyweights on the exchange was mixed, with CIMB Group gaining three sen to RM7.95, while Maybank was flat at RM10.60. Public Bank shed three sen to RM5.16, while Tenaga Nasional and IHH Healthcare both erased eight sen to RM14.50 and RM8.27, respectively. Among the most active counters, Key ASIC added 4.5 sen to eight sen, while SC Estate Builder was half a sen lower at half a sen.
The top gainers on the exchange included Nestle, which climbed 60 sen to RM103.50, Malaysian Pacific Industries, which garnered 34 sen to RM47.84, and UMS Integration, which leapt 30 sen to RM8.45.
The top losers on the exchange included Hong Leong Bank, which fell 36 sen to RM22.34, Fraser & Neave, which gave up 32 sen to RM26.58, and United Plantations, which declined 30 sen to RM33.30. By sector, the Energy Index edged down 2.42 points to 783.32, the Financial Services Index slid 43.01 points to 20,357.02, and the Plantation Index slumped 94.68 points to 9,373.66.
The Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.87 of a point to 189.48. The FBM Emas Index slipped 60.15 points to 12,858.55, while the FBMT 100 Index declined 56.13 points to 12,672.70.
The decline in the benchmark index was also reflected in the performance of the various sectors on the exchange. The Main Market volume declined to 1.77 billion units valued at RM2.64 billion compared to 1.94 billion units valued at RM2.90 billion on Wednesday. Warrants turnover narrowed to 956.43 million units worth RM137.35 million versus 1.08 billion units worth RM140.95 million previously.
The ACE Market volume expanded to 784.66 million units valued at RM267.74 million from 668.48 million units valued at RM227.01 million yesterday.
The performance of the various sectors on the exchange was also notable, with consumer products and services counters accounting for 151.81 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (272.49 million), construction (155.73 million), technology (557.57 million), financial services (80.39 million), property (153.17 million), plantation (39.34 million), real estate investment trusts (25.56 million), closed-end fund (346,700), energy (91.14 million), healthcare (82.83 million), telecommunications and media (30.88 million), transportation and logistics (54.60 million), utilities (80.99 million), and business trusts (321,100).
According to Mohd Sedek Jantan, investors remained cautious, with market direction likely to depend on upcoming economic data and catalysts that could determine the next move in equities.
Looking ahead, the performance of Bursa Malaysia is expected to be influenced by various factors, including the global economic outlook, regional headwinds, and the performance of the various sectors on the exchange. The softer United States inflation and the reduced expectations of a further US Federal Reserve tightening are expected to provide some support to global risk appetite.
However, the overall sentiment is expected to remain fragile, with investors remaining cautious and market direction likely to depend on upcoming economic data and catalysts. As such, it is essential for investors to remain vigilant and monitor the performance of the various sectors on the exchange, as well as the global economic outlook, in order to make informed investment decisions.
Details not yet available on the specific factors that will influence the performance of Bursa Malaysia in the coming days.
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