BELOW are excerpts of viewpoints from two selected research houses on what investors can expect in the day ahead:
Berjaya Research
The FBM KLCI concluded the holiday-shortened week on a slightly better note and consequently registered an 0.8% week-on-week gain.
Trading participation eased slightly with 2.03 billion shares changing hands compared with 2.04 billion shares previously in line with subdued investor engagement and weaker market breadth.
The broader market retreated amid the negative breadth with 702 decliners outnumbering 380 advancers, suggesting that strength was concentrated in selected heavyweights rather than broad-based buying interest.
The FBM KLCI may trade in a cautiously constructive manner supported by its ability to defend recent gains despite softer participation and mixed market breadth.
The recent consolidation could be viewed as a healthy digestion phase following the weekly advance with near-term movements likely to hinge on the return of institutional flows after the holiday lull.
Meanwhile the US Supreme Court ruling to strike down “Liberation Day” tariffs could bode well for global markets but gains could be capped by a 15% global tariff announced by President Donald Trump under the Trade Act of 1974.
Technically, the FBM KLCI has formed a doji candlestick to remain within the consolidation band. Near term resistance is located at 1,756 points, followed by the next resistance at 1,760 points.
Meanwhile, the immediate support remains pegged at 1,734 points, followed by 1,720 points.
Malacca Securities Research
Following Trump’s new 15% global tariff orders for the next 150 days which is lower than the previously imposed 19% rate on Malaysia, we believe sentiment will bode well for the FBM KLCI and export-oriented sectors such as technology.
Meanwhile, given the rebound in gold prices and Well Chip Group Bhd’s stellar 4Q FY2025 results, we believe traders can position themselves in the pawnbroking counter which is supported above the EMA120.
Lastly, traders could look into CBH Engineering Holding Bhd, Paradigm REIT and Pesona Metro Holdings Bhd due to their “higher-lows and higher-highs” price structures; the former, in particular, enjoys solid earnings visibility due to the country’s data centre boom.
The FBM KLCI closed on a firmer footing. However, technical indicators suggest weaker momentum at this current juncture as the MACD histogram tilted into the negative region while the RSI is hovering below the 70 level.
Resistance is seen around 1,757-1,772 with support at 1,732-1,737. – Feb 23, 2026
