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 resume its recovery momentum on the back of selective buying interest in blue chip counters.
Meanwhile, the broader market also advanced with sustained strength in lower-liner stocks as investors continued to build on recent gains, reflecting improving market sentiment and renewed risk appetite.
Going forward, the FBM KLCI is likely to trade on a slightly positive bias, supported by improving technical conditions and selective buying interest in heavyweight counters.
While intermittent profit-taking may cap sharp upsides, the index’s ability to hold above the recent breakout at 1,638 points suggests downside risks remain limited.
Additionally, emerging signs of year-end window-dressing activities by institutional investors could provide further support to market sentiment and index performance.
Barring any major external shocks, the local bourse appears well-positioned to maintain its recovery trend and potentially register a positive close for 2025.
The key index has formed a bullish candlestick to climb further away from the recent breakout of 1,638 points. Further gains could lift the key index towards the next psychological resistance at 1,650 points, followed by 1,658 points. Meanwhile, the supports remain pegged at the 1,630-1,625 levels.
Malacca Securities Research
Positive spill-over effects and on-going window-dressing activities are expected to keep the FBM KLCI on a firmer footing today.
Although excess inventory remains a concern, we believe Top Glove Corp Bhd’s earnings recovery is taking shape as the latest earnings have stabilised.
Thus, we expect increased trading interest within the glove sector over the near term.
Meanwhile, gold prices which are approaching all-time highs should support higher disbursement rates for pawnshop operators such as Well Chip Group Bhd, Evergreen Max Cash Capital Bhd and Pappajack Bhd.
Meanwhile, a strengthening ringgit may provide buying support for the banking and consumer sectors with CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd likely to benefit.
The FBM KLCI index closed in the positive territory. The technical indicators are showing a positive signal; the MACD histogram is in the positive territory while the RSI is hovering above 50, indicative of an upward momentum.
Resistance is anticipated around 1,661-1,666 while support is located at 1,626-1,631. – Dec 19, 2025
