BELOW are excerpts of viewpoints from two selected research houses on what investors can expect in the day ahead:
Berjaya Research
The FBM KLCI started the week off on a positive manner, building onto last week’s winning streak as the key index registered its fifth straight winning run on Monday.
The positive momentum was also largely in tune with gains across regional markets. Trading activities also improved with volumes rising to 2.5 billion shares from 2.4 billion shares recorded on last Friday.
The local market’s performance was largely supported by solid economic data which saw Malaysia’s unemployment rate holding steady around its lowest level since April 2015 at 3.0% for June 2025.
In light of recent market gains as well as potentially taking cue from the negative developments on Wall Street overnight, we believe short-term profit-taking may emerge.
A pullback is often healthy for markets to digest recent advances and lay the groundwork for renewed momentum.
Looking ahead, investors will be tuning towards US inflation data slated for release later tonight which could provide further signals on the timing of potential interest rate cuts.
With the local bourse solidifying its position above SMA200, we keep our view that the immediate resistance is located at 1,566 points, followed by 1,570 points. Meanwhile, the immediate support is envisaged at 1,540 points and thereafter at 1,532 points.
Malacca Securities Research
In view of a slight pullback on Wall Street, we expect profit taking activities to emerge on the local front.
However, we believe the technology sector may stay focus on the back of key investment of US$100 bil by Apple Inc in the US which may provide a sentiment boost for Inari Amerton Bhd and Frontken Corp Bhd.
Meanwhile, we favour ITMAX System Bhd given its steady stream of project wins in Johor, Penang and Selangor.
On the utilities front, we expect the sector the benefit from (i) Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s capex roll-out and (ii) key government initiatives like NETR (National Energy Transition Roadmap) and LSS (large-scale solar projects) following which we favour MN Holdings Bhd, UUE Corp Bhd, KJTS Group Bhd and Southern Cable Group Bhd.
For a more conservative play, we believe KPJ Healthcare Bhd could ride on the silver economy as demand for healthcare is expected to increase going forward.
The local bourse closed above all the MA (moving average) lines with technical indicators having turned positive at the current juncture; the MACD histogram has expanded above zero while the RSI is approaching an overbought level.
Resistance is anticipated around 1,578-1,583 while support is located at 1,543-1,548. – Aug 12, 2025
