Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade within a narrow range of 1,600 to 1,620 points next week due to a holiday-shortened trading period for Hari Raya Aidiladha on Monday. Thong Pak Leng, vice-president of equity research at Rakuten Trade, anticipates choppy market conditions and ongoing consolidation, with the benchmark index fluctuating around the 20-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). The 1,630 level has been a significant resistance point, but if the index remains above 1,600, the mid-term outlook is positive. If selling pressure continues, the index might retest the 1,575-1,589 levels.

Kenneth Leong, head of research at Apex Securities, noted that investors will closely watch US and Chinese retail and industrial data, EU inflation, and interest rate decisions from Japan and the UK due to a lack of new domestic leads. Key upcoming data includes China's retail and industrial data and US retail sales, which could provide insights into US consumer behavior and inflation.

Over the past week, the FBM KLCI dropped by 10.54 points to 1,607.32, affected by concerns over US interest rates. Despite this, the broader market saw gains. The FBM Emas Index rose by 29.59 points, the FBM 70 Index surged by 355.93 points, and the FBMT 100 Index increased by 7.32 points. Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index dipped, while the Industrial Products and Services, Energy, Healthcare, and Technology indices saw gains.

Overall market turnover increased to 32.08 billion units worth RM21.97 billion, with significant growth in the Main Market and the ACE Market, and an advance in warrants turnover. The cautious optimism persists as investors await key international economic data.