Bursa benchmark gains 0.24 per cent but closes below 1,600
Declining stocks outnumbered gainers 751 to 331, while trading turnover increased to RM2.42 billion.
Malaysia’s FBM KLCI finished at 1,599.58 on October 20, 2026, up 3.83 points, or 0.24 per cent. The benchmark recovered some ground after the previous session’s sharp sell-off but ended below 1,600 despite reaching 1,602.83 earlier in the day.
The broader market remained weaker, with 751 stocks declining and 331 advancing. Another 499 were unchanged. Trading volume increased to 2.86 billion units from 2.49 billion in the preceding session, while turnover reached RM2.42 billion, compared with RM2.38 billion.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng attributed the benchmark’s improvement to bargain hunting. He said the brokerage remained cautious because continued foreign selling and greater regional volatility were weighing on sentiment.
Thong told Bernama that the index could remain volatile for the rest of the week. He forecast a trading range of 1,580–1,610, saying a sustained recovery above 1,600–1,610 would be needed to strengthen near-term momentum.
Among heavyweight stocks, Maybank added five sen, closing at RM9.95, while Public Bank ended at RM4.73 after a two-sen gain. TNB advanced eight sen to RM13.06; CIMB stayed at RM7.15.
Losses elsewhere included Dutch Lady, down 44 sen to RM28.32, and Kuala Lumpur Kepong, which dropped 38 sen to RM19.78. The FBM ACE Index lost 106.81 points to finish at 5,286.48.
