BELOW are excerpts of viewpoints from two selected research houses on what investors can expect in the day ahead:
Berjaya Research
The FBM KLCI rebounded on Thursday to recover all its previous session’s losses in line with the positive sentiment across regional markets.
Trading activity rose to 3.49 billion shares from 3.20 billion shares in the previous session as market undertone improved.
Market breadth was also positive with 706 advancers overpowering 485 decliners, indicating a modest improvement in risk appetite.
The FBM KLCI may attempt to build on its nascent recovery trend following the recent rebound, supported by improving regional sentiment and selective buying interest in index heavyweights.
While near-term upside momentum could persist, gains may remain measured amid intermittent profit taking after the recent volatility.
Investors are likely to stay cautiously optimistic with attention turning to the on-going barrage of US corporate earnings releases as well as upcoming US consumer sentiment data for clues on global demand conditions and potential direction for regional equity markets.
Technically, the local bourse has gapped-up and formed a bullish candlestick to close near one-month high.
With the breakthrough above 1,716 points, the key index may advance towards the next resistances at 1,732-1,740 points. Meanwhile, the immediate support has now shifted to 1,710 points, followed by the 1,700 psychological level.
Malacca Securities Research
Tracking Wall Street’s performance, we expect profit-taking to weigh on the FBM KLCI.
Meanwhile, after being oversold since February, buying interest has re-emerged in consumer stocks such as 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd, MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd and Sabah-based Life Water Bhd, potentially signalling value-buying activity.
We also note the recent RM12.2 mil substation works contract secured by Sarawak-based Insights Analytics Bhd which further supports its technical breakout.
Meanwhile, riding the current AI and semiconductor supercycle, we favour metal fabrication players such as Kobay Technology Bhd, Oxford Innotech Bhd and Advanced Material Bhd as they pivot from basic metalwork to high specification engineering which is critical for semiconductors and AI infrastructure.
The FBM KLCI rebounded with its technical indicators showing positive signals at this current juncture as the MACD histogram has expanded strongly above the zero line while the RSI is trading above 50.
Resistance is seen around 1,736-1,741 with support at 1,701-1,706. – April 24, 2026
