The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI), also known as the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI), is the primary stock market index for Malaysia. It tracks the performance of the 30 largest companies by full market capitalization listed on Bursa Malaysia, the Malaysian stock exchange. As a widely recognized benchmark, the KLCI is a crucial indicator of the overall health and sentiment of the Malaysian economy and its equity market.
Google Finance provides a readily accessible source for tracking the KLCI’s movements. You can typically find it by searching “KLCI Google Finance” or “FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Google Finance.” The platform displays real-time (or near real-time, depending on data providers and market hours) data, including:
- Current Price: The latest price at which the KLCI is trading.
- Daily High and Low: The highest and lowest prices reached during the trading day.
- Open Price: The price at which the KLCI opened for trading that day.
- Previous Close: The closing price from the previous trading day.
- Percentage Change: The percentage increase or decrease in the KLCI’s value compared to the previous close.
- Point Change: The absolute increase or decrease in the KLCI’s value compared to the previous close.
- Volume: The total number of shares traded in the constituent companies that make up the index. While not directly the volume of the *index* itself, it provides an indication of overall market activity.
- Historical Data: Charts and tables showing the KLCI’s performance over various timeframes, from intraday to several years. This historical data allows users to identify trends, patterns, and potential support and resistance levels.
Beyond basic price information, Google Finance often includes related news articles and analysis pertaining to the KLCI and the Malaysian stock market. This can help investors understand the factors influencing the index’s performance, such as macroeconomic data releases, political events, and company-specific announcements. The platform may also provide links to financial statements and profiles of the KLCI’s constituent companies.
While a convenient resource, it’s essential to remember that Google Finance is primarily a data aggregator. The information it displays is sourced from various financial data providers, and there might be slight discrepancies depending on the source. For critical investment decisions, it’s advisable to cross-reference data with other reputable sources, such as Bursa Malaysia’s official website or Bloomberg.
The KLCI’s performance is influenced by a multitude of factors including global economic conditions, commodity prices (especially crude oil and palm oil, which are significant exports for Malaysia), interest rate movements by Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank), and government policies. Monitoring the KLCI via resources like Google Finance is a starting point for understanding the dynamics of the Malaysian equity market, but a comprehensive investment strategy requires thorough research and consideration of various factors and risks.