Bursa Malaysia ends higher on bargain hunting

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

Bursa Malaysia's benchmark index rose by 8.20 points to close at 1,708.74 as investors took advantage of lower prices following a recent sell-off. The market remained cautious ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s expected decision to keep the overnight policy rate steady at 2.75%, which will influence lending costs and economic conditions.

Kuala Lumpur — Bursa Malaysia closed higher on Wednesday as investors engaged in bargain hunting following a recent market sell-off, ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s anticipated decision on the overnight policy rate (OPR).

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) gained 8.20 points to finish at 1,708.74, up from Tuesday’s close of 1,700.54. The index opened slightly higher at 1,700.96 and fluctuated between a low of 1,695.89 and a peak of 1,709.71 during the trading session.

Despite the index’s gain, decliners outnumbered advancers, with 746 counters falling against 424 that rose. Additionally, 554 counters remained unchanged, 1,048 counters did not trade, and 17 were suspended.

Market turnover eased to 4.20 billion units valued at RM3.52 billion, down from 5.52 billion units worth RM4.42 billion recorded in the previous session.

Investor sentiment appeared cautious ahead of today’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting, where Bank Negara Malaysia is widely expected to maintain the OPR at 2.75% for the remainder of 2026. Market analysts have signaled a consensus for the central bank to hold the rate steady amid ongoing economic assessments.

The OPR, a key benchmark for lending and borrowing costs in Malaysia, influences monetary conditions and can impact market movements as traders position themselves ahead of monetary policy announcements.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.