IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Sedek Jantan said the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced as sentiment turned more constructive, reflecting optimism over the nation’s resilient labour market, firming ringgit, and a steadier global risk environment.

Sedek noted that the latest labour force data from the department of statistics Malaysia reaffirmed the strength of domestic fundamentals, and this continued expansion underscores a sustained recovery in household demand and highlights the labour market’s pivotal role in anchoring Malaysia’s broader economic resilience as the year draws to a close.

He said investor sentiment was further lifted by the ringgit’s appreciation, underpinned by stable macroeconomic indicators and stronger portfolio inflows.

“Overall, today’s market performance highlights the interplay between resilient domestic fundamentals and improving global macro signals. Malaysia’s equity market appears well-positioned to sustain its upward momentum into the final quarter of 2025,” he told Bernama.

Asian equities rallied today boosted by hopes for a deal that would end the US government shutdown. According to reports, the US Senate passed the first stage of a deal late Sunday night that would end the shutdown which began on Oct 1.

At 5pm, the FBM KLCI increased 8.25 points, or 0.51%, to 1,627.38 from Friday’s close of 1,619.13.

The benchmark index opened 2.40 points firmer at 1,621.53, and moved within a narrow range between 1,620.49 and 1,633.52 throughout the trading session.

The broader market was positive, with 601 gainers leading 470 losers, while 585 counters were unchanged, 1,004 untraded, and nine suspended.

Turnover rose to 3.92 billion units worth RM2.28 billion compared with 3.53 billion units worth RM2.35 billion last Friday.

Among heavyweights, Maybank rose 3 sen to RM9.94, Public Bank was unchanged at RM4.27, CIMB was 5 sen firmer at RM7.58, Tenaga Nasional increased 12 sen to RM13.34, while IHH Healthcare dipped 6 sen to RM8.22.

On the most active list, MMAG rose 1 sen to 9.5 sen, Perak Transit gained 0.5 sen to 29.5 sen, Pharmaniaga fell 0.5 sen to 26 sen, while both Zen Tech and EA Holdings were flat at 0.5 sen, respectively.

Among the top gainers, Fraser & Neave increased RM1.16 to RM28.76, Malaysian Pacific Industries added RM1.02 to RM31.10, Kuala Lumpur Kepong firmed 4 sen to RM21.12, and Hong Leong Industries garnered 32 sen to RM15.06.

As for the top losers, Nestle decreased 40 sen to RM112.0, UMS Integration fell 10 sen to RM4.76, United Plantations slipped 20 sen to RM25.38, and PIE Industries was 16 sen weaker at RM2.73.

On the index board, the FBMT 100 Index increased 49.14 points to 11,842.62, the FBM Emas Index advanced 50.51 points to 12,084.58, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index climbed 63.09 points to 12,111.42.

The FBM ACE Index garnered 50.12 points to 5,100.85 and the FBM Mid 70 Index perked up 22.88 points to 16,949.72.

Sector-wise, the plantation index put on 17.24 points to 8,120.32, the financial services index jumped 74.99 points to 18,412.23, and the industrial products and services index climbed 0.48 of-a-point to 168.88, but the energy index slipped 5.76 points to 760.70.

The Main Market volume dipped to 1.29 billion units valued at RM1.77 billion from 1.51 billion units valued at RM1.93 billion last Friday.

Warrants turnover expanded to 1.88 billion units worth RM347.0 million compared with 1.49 billion units worth RM283.58 million previously.

However, the ACE Market volume surged to 821.51 million units valued at RM172.37 million from 527.09 million units valued at RM135.70 million on Friday.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 296.04 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (206.64 million), construction (72.90 million), technology (208.20 million), financial services (37.43 million), property (160.75 million), plantation (30.23 million), real estate investment trusts (17.28 million), closed-end fund (20,200), energy (69.60 million), healthcare (91.97 million), telecommunications and media (46.82 million), transportation and logistics (43.10 million), utilities (15.78 million), and business trusts (431,600).