KLCI Slips At Midday As Regional Cues Turn Softer, Westports Leads Gainers
The FBM KLCI eased at midday, slipping 6.75 points to 1,616.75 as weakness across heavyweight consumer and banking counters dragged the benchmark index in line with the softer tone seen in parts of the region.
The index had touched an intraday high of 1,622.24 before paring gains, while broader market indicators also trended lower. The FBM 70 fell 0.13% to 16,868.38 and the FBM Emas dropped 0.35% to 12,012.31. The Shariah index retreated 0.36%.
Market sentiment stayed muted despite improved risk appetite in selected blue chips, with decliners continuing to outpace gainers.
Westports Holdings emerged as the top gainer on Bursa Malaysia after rising 31 sen to RM5.41 with nearly 48,000 lots traded. The port operator extended its rally from Tuesday after analysts at CIMB and Hong Leong Investment Bank reiterated BUY calls, highlighting robust core profit growth driven by tariff adjustments, stronger cargo mix and improving margins. Both research houses have set target prices of RM6.20 and RM6.55 respectively, supporting sustained investor interest in the counter.
Other notable gainers included VSTECS, which advanced 16 sen to RM3.96, and HL Industries, up 14 sen to RM14.26.
On the losers’ list, Nestlé slid RM1.10 to RM111.90, topping decliners as consumer stocks faced selling pressure. PJBumi declined 53 sen to RM1.24, while MPI shed 44 sen to RM30.12. Hong Leong Bank retreated 30 sen to RM20.94.
Most-active stocks were dominated by penny names, led by NexgBina with 2.66 billion shares traded, followed by MMAG and Bornoil.
Trading is expected to remain cautious in the afternoon session as investors assess regional developments and await fresh catalysts.
