BELOW are excerpts of viewpoints from two selected research houses on what investors can expect in the day ahead:
Berjaya Research
The FBM KLCI recovered all of its previous session losses after hovering in positive territory throughout the trading session, driven by rising expectations of a potential ceasefire deal in the Middle East and encouraging economic data from China where GDP (gross domestic product) expanded by 5.0% year-on-year (yoy) in 1Q 2026.
Trading activity continued to trend higher with 3.77 billion shares exchanging hands from 3.33 billion shares in the previous session, reflecting improving market participation.
Market breadth also remained positive with 753 advancers outpacing 486 decliners, suggesting an extension of the on-going recovery momentum.
Looking ahead, the FBM KLCI is expected to maintain a positive bias tone in the near term, supported by improving external sentiment following encouraging economic data from China and easing geopolitical concerns.
The continuation of positive market breadth and rising trading volumes may signal strengthening buying interest which could help the benchmark index sustain its recovery trajectory.
Nonetheless, investors are likely to remain selective amid lingering external uncertainties while further confirmation of macro-economic stability and geopolitical developments will be key catalysts to sustain the upward momentum.
Technically, the FBM KLCI has formed a gap up with a bullish candlestick to remain within the longer-term consolidation trend.
Extension of the recovery could power the local bourse towards the immediate resistance at 1,695 points, followed by the 1,700 psychological level. Meanwhile, near-term supports remain located at the 1,673-1,665 levels.
Malacca Securities Research
We anticipate Wall Street’s positive overnight performance will spill over into the local bourse today.
Meanwhile, buying interest continues to gravitate towards the East Malaysia theme: (i) Hartanah Kenyalang Bhd continues to scale new all-time highs on the back of its RM563.1 mil order book; (ii) Insights Analytics Bhd has staged a breakout (poised to benefit from Sarawak’s RM100 bil infrastructure push); and (iii) Life Water Bhd limit-up.
On the consumer sector, 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd rose amid continued EPF (Employees Provident Fund) accumulation and a potential surge in footfall as consumers shop ahead of war-induced inflation.
Lastly, Empire Premium Food Bhd (M+ target price: 93 sen) will make its Main Market debut today (April 17).
The FBM KLCI rebounded with its technical indicators showing mixed signals at this current juncture as the MACD histogram expanded into the positive territory while the RSI is still trading below 50.
Resistance is seen around 1,704-1,709 with support at 1,669-1,674. – April 17, 2026
