Bursa Malaysia rises at opening as investors eye global cues and Johor polls

JOHOR, 21 JULY 2026 —

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Bursa Malaysia opened higher today, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street spearheaded by tech stocks, amid West Asia uncertainties. The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose eight points, or 0.48 per cent, to 1,685.64 from yesterday’s close of 1,677.64. This upward trend is a positive sign for the Malaysian market, which has been closely watching global cues and domestic developments.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng attributed the rebound on Wall Street to the strong performance of tech stocks and the easing of crude oil prices. He noted that Brent crude oil eased to around US$76 per barrel amid reports that mediators are working to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. This development has helped to alleviate some of the concerns surrounding global oil supplies and has contributed to the positive sentiment in the market.

On the domestic front, Thong Pak Leng believes that investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach, with the main focus being this weekend’s Johor state election. As a result, he anticipates the FBM KLCI to hover between 1,675 and 1,685 today. This prediction suggests that the market is expected to remain relatively stable, with investors taking a cautious approach ahead of the election. The outcome of the election is likely to have a significant impact on the market, and investors are waiting to see how the results will affect the country's economic and political landscape.

Among heavyweight stocks, Maybank gained 10 sen to RM10.96, Public Bank edged up a sen to RM4.86, CIMB added four sen to RM7.64, IHH Healthcare advanced five sen to RM8.37, while Tenaga Nasional was flat at RM14.30. These movements indicate a moderate level of activity among the major players, with some stocks experiencing gains while others remained stable. The performance of these stocks is a key indicator of the overall health of the market, and their movements are closely watched by investors.

The broader indices also experienced gains, with the FBM Emas Index gaining 55.34 points to 12,495.82, the FBMT 100 Index growing 57.09 points to 12,325.19, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index edging up 50.37 points to 12,330.65. The FBM 70 Index perked up 76.78 points to 17,874.42, while the FBM ACE Index advanced 10.64 points to 4,901.73. By sector, the Financial Services Index jumped 91.92 points to 19,920.0, the Plantation Index expanded 42.45 points to 9,119.43, and the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 0.41 of a point to 181.07. The Energy Index slid 0.11 of a point to 773.85. These movements suggest a broad-based rally, with various sectors and indices experiencing gains.

The performance of the Malaysian market is closely tied to regional and global developments. As such, investors are keeping a close eye on the latest news and trends from around the world. The easing of crude oil prices, for example, has had a positive impact on the market, while the ongoing tensions in West Asia continue to pose a risk to global stability. In this context, the Malaysian market is expected to remain volatile, with investors reacting to changing circumstances and adjusting their strategies accordingly.

Looking ahead, the outcome of the Johor state election is likely to have a significant impact on the market. Investors will be watching closely to see how the results will affect the country's economic and political landscape, and how the government will respond to the challenges and opportunities that arise. As the market continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further developments and changes in the days and weeks to come. With the current trends and indicators in mind, investors will need to remain vigilant and adaptable, taking a long-term view and adjusting their strategies as necessary to navigate the complexities of the Malaysian market. Details not yet available on the potential impact of the election on specific sectors or stocks, but it is clear that the market will be closely watching the developments and reacting accordingly.

Related: Bursa Malaysia · Johor