Bursa Malaysia Trading Stays Quiet as Investors Sit Out on Christmas Eve

(Kuala Lumpur, 24th) Bursa Malaysia remained quiet ahead of Christmas Eve, with the FBM KLCI edging slightly higher. The benchmark rose 1.67 points, or 0.10%, to close at 1,678.31.

The index opened lower at 1,676 and spent most of the session moving sideways within a narrow 1,674–1,677 range, reflecting subdued risk appetite.

Volume improves, value continues to ease

Overall market activity improved marginally, with volume rising above 2.0 billion shares to 2.044 billion. However, trading value fell for a third consecutive session to RM1.704 billion. Market breadth was mixed, with 500 gainers, 483 losers, and 585 unchanged.

By sector, seven indices ended higher, led by the construction index which gained 1.2%. Six sector indices closed lower, though declines were generally mild. The property index posted the steepest drop, slipping 0.4%.

Stocks in focus: PHARMA and EKOVEST slip

Pharmaniaga (PHARMA, 7081, Main Market Healthcare) was the most actively traded counter, easing 0.5 sen or 1.7% to 29 sen on 98.74 million shares.

Ekovest (EKOVEST, 8877, Main Market Construction) also attracted heavy interest, falling 2.5 sen or 8.1% to 28.5 sen on 38.38 million shares, ranking fifth on the active list.

Selling pressure spilled into its warrants as well: EKOVEST-C75 plunged 2.5 sen or 83.3% to 0.5 sen (84.72 million shares), the second most active; EKOVEST-C74 fell 1 sen or 66.7% to 0.5 sen (55.55 million); EKOVEST-C79 slipped 1 sen or 28.6% to 2.5 sen (37.68 million); while EKOVEST-C78 was unchanged at 1.5 sen (32.34 million).