Bursa Malaysia closes lower despite 6% 2Q GDP growth
Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI fell 7.32 points, or 0.42%, to 1,727.39 at the close on Friday, even as Malaysia reported second-quarter GDP growth of 6%, its fastest pace since 2022.
Source: The Star · August 14, 2026 at 6:54 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 15 AUGUST 2026 —
Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI fell 7.32 points, or 0.42%, to 1,727.39 at the close on Friday, even as Malaysia reported second-quarter GDP growth of 6%, its fastest pace since 2022.
Market Impact
The index had opened 0.01 point higher at 1,734.72 and traded in a narrow range between 1,726.77 and 1,734.72 during the session. Earlier in the week, the FBM KLCI had gained 15.32 points, or 0.89%, to 1,734.71.
Turnover fell to 3.50 billion shares worth RM2.59 billion from 3.51 billion shares valued at RM3.05 billion on Thursday, according to exchange data.
IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the market’s muted reaction reflected the view that much of the positive growth narrative had already been priced in.
“Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected 6% 2Q GDP growth is already discounted by the market, and stronger domestic activity reduces the chance of further monetary easing,” he said. “Investors are now focusing on whether the growth momentum can be sustained into the second half of 2026 and, crucially, whether it translates into corporate earnings.”
Heavyweights showed little movement: Maybank and CIMB Group were unchanged at RM10.60 and RM7.95, respectively; Public Bank fell three sen to RM5.13, Tenaga Nasional declined two sen to RM14.48, and IHH Healthcare dropped seven sen to RM8.20.
On the most active list, JAKS Resources and Tanco Holdings each rose 1.5 sen to 10.5 sen and 26 sen, while Key ASIC fell half a sen to 7.5 sen and HHRG lost two sen to 13.5 sen. Kronologi Asia gained two sen to 12 sen.
Gainers included Hong Leong Industries, up 32 sen at RM18, Ranhill Utilities, up 30 sen at RM2.66, Critical Holdings, up 19 sen at RM2.11, Ideal Capital, up 17 sen at RM3.68, and Hong Leong Bank, up 16 sen at RM2.25.
Top losers were Nestlé, down 80 sen to RM102.70, United Plantations, down 42 sen to RM32.88, Malaysian Pacific Industries, down 34 sen to RM47.50, Press Metal Aluminium, down 28 sen to RM7.70, and Dutch Lady Milk Industries, down 20 sen to RM31.50.
Hextar Global Bhd shares remained suspended at the close after trading was halted at 2.30 pm pending a material announcement, with resumption set for 9 am on Monday, Bursa Malaysia said in a filing.
Sector performance diverged: the FBM ACE Index jumped 50.13 points, or 0.96%, to 5,294.78, while the FBM Emas Index fell 43.10 points, or 0.34%, to 12,815.44. The FBMT 100 Index dropped 46.44 points, or 0.37%, to 12,626.26.
The FBM Emas Shariah Index declined 65.75 points, or 0.52%, to 12,629.23, and the FBM 70 Index fell 37.02 points, or 0.20%, to 18,293.19.
On the Main Market, volume rose to 1.80 billion shares valued at RM2.23 billion from 1.77 billion shares worth RM2.64 billion on Thursday. Warrants turnover narrowed to 903.76 million units worth RM128.03 million versus 956.43 million units worth RM137.35 million previously. The ACE Market saw volume expand to 791.17 million units valued at RM237.96 million from 784.66 million units worth RM267.74 million.
By sector on the Main Market, technology led with 425.83 million shares traded, followed by industrial products and services (332.99 million), construction (228.77 million), and consumer products and services (242.12 million). Financial services turnover was 56.50 million shares, plantation counters 25.28 million, and healthcare 51.11 million.
Related: Bursa Malaysia · Mohd Sedek Janten · Kuala Lumpur