BELOW are excerpts of viewpoints from two selected research houses on what investors can expect in the day ahead:
Berjaya Research
The FBM KLCI extended its recovery on Wednesday, supported by buying interest in selected banking and utilities heavyweights.
Trading activity, however, continued to moderate to 2.71 billion shares from 3.61 billion shares in the previous session, suggesting that buying momentum remained somewhat tepid.
Market breadth stayed positive with 605 advancers edging past 447 decliners, indicating that the recovery was still met with bouts of profit-taking.
The FBM KLCI may maintain a cautious tone in the near term as investors turn their attention to the upcoming Malaysia retail sales data for fresh cues on domestic consumption after concerns over geopolitical developments in the Middle East took a backseat for the time being.
Continued strength in consumer spending could reinforce confidence in the domestic demand outlook and lend support to consumer-related and retail-linked counters on Bursa Malaysia.
Still, the key index’s recovery will largely hinge towards external developments.
Technically, the FBM KLCI has formed another bullish candlestick to sustain its position above the 1,700 psychological level.
Further recovery could potentially lift the key index towards the immediate resistance located at 1,712 points, followed by 1,720 points. Downside wise, near-term support remains pegged at 1,685 points and thereafter at 1,665 points.
Malacca Securities Research
As Iran lays mines in the Strait of Hormuz, ships are forced to take longer routes, reducing the global supply of available vessels and spiking freight rates.
We believe market sentiment will continue to favour MISC Bhd as the shipping company is positioned to charge higher spot rates and pass war-risk premiums on to charterers.
We reiterate our technical pick on LBS Bina Group Bhd following its breakout, supported by robust FY2024 sales, RM1.3 bil in unbilled sales and a 3,970-acre landbank, thus ensuring revenue visibility and a steady stream of future projects.
Given the current uncertainty, investors may consider defensive sectors such as banking, REITs and healthcare.
While the FBM KLCI continued to extend its momentum, technical indicators suggest weaker upside momentum at this current junction as the MACD histogram is still in the negative region while the RSI is below 50.
Resistance is seen around 1,723-1,728 with support at 1,688-1,693. – March 12, 2026
