BELOW are excerpts of viewpoints from two selected research houses on what investors can expect in the day ahead:
Berjaya Research
The FBM KLCI recorded its fourth winning streak on Tuesday as the key index solidifies its position above the 1,700 psychological level.
Trading activity improved to 3.45 billion shares from 3.03 billion shares in the previous session amid the improved market sentiment.
Market breadth turned positive with 722 advancers outmuscling 502 decliners, reflecting a broader improvement in participation across the small and mid-cap stocks.
Going forward, the FBM KLCI may see a more cautious tone in the near term following four consecutive sessions of gains as investors could opt to lock-in profits after the recent rebound above the 1,700 psychological level.
While underlying sentiment has improved, the local bourse may enter a consolidation phase as participants reassess valuations and await fresh catalysts to sustain upward momentum.
Near-term direction is likely to remain data-dependent with attention on global risk cues and on-going US corporate earnings releases to potentially influence trading sentiment.
Technically, the FBM KLCI has formed another bullish candlestick to close a hair away from the 1,716 resistance.
A breakthrough could lift the local bourse higher towards the next resistances at 1,722-1,730 points. On the flipside, the immediate support has now shifted to the 1,700 psychological level, followed by 1,681 points.
Malacca Securities Research
We expect the FBM KLCI to extend its gains today in view of the US-Iran ceasefire extension.
However, as the US military blockade in the Strait of Hormuz is set to continue, this should lift Brent crude oil prices in the near term, thus creating opportunities within the O&G (oil & gas) and chemical-related counters.
Besides this, the market continues to focus on data centre-related themes, including:
(i) Water-related stocks like Insights Analytics Bhd, Ranhill Utilities Bhd and ISF Group Bhd; and
(ii) Electrical engineering counters like CBH Engineering Holding Bhd and MN Holdings Bhd.
Lastly, we favour MClean Technologies Bhd as the group continues to see increasing precision cleaning orders, supported by the semiconductor upcycle.
The FBM KLCI rebounded with its technical indicators showing improving signals at this current juncture with the MACD histogram having expanded into the positive territory while the RSI started to trade above 50.
Resistance is seen around 1,730-1,735 with support at 1,695-1,700. – April 22, 2026
