KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia turned higher at midday, lifted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) advance estimates showing that the economy is projected to grow by 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q 2026).
At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 1.53 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 1,691.24 from Thursday’s close of 1,689.71.
The benchmark index earlier opened 0.64 of-a-point lower at 1,689.07 and moved between 1,682.88 and 1,691.79 during the morning session.
However, market breadth was negative, with losers leading gainers 471 to 427. A total of 545 counters were unchanged, 1,289 untraded and 35 suspended.
Turnover stood at 1.88 billion units valued at RM1.40 billion.
DOSM said the robust advance estimates reflect an economy that remains fundamentally resilient, despite rising global uncertainties, particularly elevated oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions.
Its chief statistician, Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin, said the manufacturing sector maintained positive momentum in the first two months of 2026, with output expanding by 7.3 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively, largely driven by export-oriented industries.
He said seasonal festive spending during the Chinese New Year, alongside preparations for Ramadan and Aidilfitri, continued to support overall economic activities.
“This, coupled with the disbursement of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) and the second phase of civil servant salary revisions, contributed to a steady growth in distributive trade sales, which increased by 7.3 per cent in January and 5.3 per cent in February 2026,” he said in a statement today.
Following these advance estimates, the preliminary GDP data, which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of economic performance for 1Q 2026, will be released on May 15, 2026.
Meanwhile, IPPFA Sdn Bhd investment strategy director and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the latest data suggest that global headwinds, particularly tariff-related uncertainty and energy price volatility have not transmitted as forcefully into Malaysia’s real economy, at least not yet.
“This is particularly notable given that the recent West Asia conflict, which began on Feb 28, 2026, likely had only a limited one-month transmission into energy prices and broader activity, implying that the full impact of energy-related shocks has yet to be reflected in the data,” he said.
Hence, he said the forward trajectory is becoming more nuanced.
“China’s 1Q 2026 GDP growth of 5.0 per cent, above the 4.8 per cent analysts expectation, offers a near-term external buffer and aligns with broader signs of stabilisation in regional demand.
“However, the sequential contraction and early signs of softening momentum suggest that growth is becoming less synchronised,” he said.
Mohd Sedek said the more important implication is that the burden of growth may increasingly shift towards domestic demand, where households and businesses play a larger role in sustaining activity.
“In that environment, growth becomes more sensitive to fuel prices and external shocks, placing greater emphasis on policy support to cushion cost pressures and preserve consumption momentum,” he added.
Among heavyweights, Public Bank and CIMB added three sen each to RM4.69 and RM7.48, respectively, Tenaga Nasional perked up two sen to RM14.24, while IHH Healthcare eased one sen to RM8.69, and Maybank was flat at RM11.06.
On the most active list, Main Market debutant Empire Premium Food rose 36 sen to RM1.06, Zetrix AI gained half-a-sen to 83 sen, Mega Fortis edged up one sen to RM1.25, Capital A was two sen higher at 47.5 sen, and Borneo Oil was flat at half-a-sen.
Among top gainers, Hong Leong Industries climbed 20 sen to RM17.30, United Plantations added 72 sen to RM34.28, Allianz Malaysia gained 44 sen to RM21.14, Fraser & Neave advanced 32 sen to RM31.00, and UMS Integration jumped 20 sen to RM6.10.
Among the top losers, Malaysian Pacific Industries fell 30 sen to RM33.68, Dutch Lady Milk Industries slipped 20 sen to RM32.00, Batu Kawan eased 18 sen to RM21.02, Petronas Dagangan declined 24 sen to RM20.60, while Sunway Construction slid 14 sen to RM6.91.
On the index board, the FBM Top 100 Index rose 11.53 points to 12,318.35, while the FBM Emas Index added 11.74 points to 12,483.36 and the FBM Mid 70 Index gained 18.17 points to 17,659.84. The FBM Emas Shariah Index advanced 7.11 points to 12,413.95, while the FBM ACE Index up 20.72 points to 4,567.0.
By sector, the Financial Services Index advanced 55.07 points to 19,770.93, while the Plantation Index strengthened 24.22 points to 8,923.89. The Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.41 of-a-point to 187.69, while the Energy Index shed 1.65 points to 815.57. – BERNAMA
