Top Bursa Malaysia Performers in 1H2025: A Strategic Review

The first half of 2025 presented a stark contrast between the broader market and a select group of outperformers. While the FBM KLCI declined 8.5% year-to-date amid global macro headwinds and foreign fund outflows, a handful of stocks stood resilient. Out of the top 100 Bursa Malaysia companies, only 13 recorded positive returns. This report highlights the eight best-performing names—SUNCON, WPRTS, AXREIT, IGBREIT, TIMECOM, PETDAG, KPJ, and CDB—and provides an overview of each company’s business background. Out of these eight, I have highlighted six—SUNCON, WPRTS, IGBREIT, TIMECOM, KPJ and CDB—in my Substack.

1. SUNCON (+28.0%) Sunway Construction Group Berhad (SUNCON) is one of Malaysia’s leading pure-play construction companies. It is part of the Sunway Group and is involved in a wide range of civil engineering and construction activities, including infrastructure, building construction, mechanical and electrical services, and precast concrete products. SUNCON serves both public and private sector clients and is known for executing large-scale projects such as highways, urban transit systems, and commercial developments.

​https://kingkkk.substack.com/p/technical-outlook-suncon-bullish​

2. WPRTS (+16.4%) Westports Holdings Berhad (WPRTS) is the operator of Westports, one of the key container ports in Port Klang, Malaysia. The company provides a wide range of port services including container handling, conventional cargo, and marine services. It plays a crucial role in Malaysia’s maritime trade and serves as a major transshipment hub for Southeast Asia. WPRTS continues to invest in capacity expansion through its Westports 2 project to support future volume growth.

​https://kingkkk.substack.com/p/technical-outlook-westports-slightly​

3. AXREIT (+12.7%) Axis Real Estate Investment Trust (AXREIT) is Malaysia’s first and only REIT focusing primarily on industrial properties. Its portfolio includes logistics warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and business parks located in key industrial zones across the country. The REIT is known for its proactive asset management strategy, high occupancy rates, and consistent income distributions to unitholders. AXREIT targets tenants in sectors such as logistics, e-commerce, and light manufacturing.

4. IGBREIT (+11.7%) IGB Real Estate Investment Trust (IGBREIT) owns and manages two of the most prominent shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur—Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall. These malls are strategically located in the Klang Valley and enjoy high footfall and strong tenant demand. The REIT focuses on retail property investment and offers a stable income stream through long-term leases with established retailers. IGBREIT is part of the IGB Group, a well-established player in Malaysia’s property sector.

​https://kingkkk.substack.com/p/igbreit-moderately-bullish​

5. TIMECOM (+10.9%) TIME dotCom Berhad (TIMECOM) is a telecommunications service provider specializing in fibre optic connectivity. It offers high-speed broadband, data centre services, and network solutions to enterprise, wholesale, and retail customers. TIME operates in Malaysia and has regional presence through investments in Thailand and Vietnam. The company is known for its extensive fibre network infrastructure and premium connectivity offerings, especially for commercial buildings and business users.

​https://kingkkk.substack.com/p/technical-outlook-time-slightly-bullish​

6. PETDAG (+9.7%) Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PETDAG) is the retail and marketing arm of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Malaysia’s national oil company. It operates a nationwide network of petrol stations under the PETRONAS brand and markets petroleum products including fuels, lubricants, and cooking gas. PETDAG also offers non-fuel products and services through its Kedai Mesra convenience stores and digital platforms like Setel. The company serves both individual and commercial customers.

7. KPJ (+5.3%) KPJ Healthcare Berhad (KPJ) is one of Malaysia’s largest private healthcare providers. It operates a network of specialist hospitals across Malaysia and in several other countries. KPJ offers a wide range of medical services including inpatient and outpatient care, diagnostic services, specialist treatments, and wellness programs. The group also runs a nursing and healthcare training institute. KPJ is part of the Johor Corporation Group and has a strong presence in both urban and suburban areas.

​https://kingkkk.substack.com/p/kpj-a-healthy-technical-setup​

8. CDB (+5.0%) CelcomDigi Berhad (CDB) is the result of a merger between Celcom Axiata Berhad and Digi.Com Berhad, creating Malaysia’s largest mobile network operator by subscriber base. The company provides mobile voice, data, digital, and enterprise solutions across the country. CDB leverages a wide and modernised network infrastructure to deliver 4G and 5G services to both consumers and businesses. It is jointly owned by Axiata Group and Telenor Asia.

​https://kingkkk.substack.com/p/celcomdigi-how-strong-is-its-economic​

Conclusion Despite the FBM KLCI’s 8.5% decline year-to-date and a tough investing environment, select Malaysian equities managed to deliver positive returns. The top eight gainers spanned a wide range of sectors, from construction and ports to healthcare and telecommunications. Understanding the business background of these companies provides insight into their long-term positioning and strategic relevance in the Malaysian economy. As we move into the second half of 2025, a focus on business fundamentals and structural growth drivers will remain key to navigating market uncertainty.

If you enjoy deep dives into Malaysia’s equity market and want early insights on high-potential stocks, check out my Substack at kingkkk.substack.com. I regularly highlight hidden gems, sector trends, and actionable ideas—often before they appear on the broader radar. In fact, six of the top eight performers in 1H2025 were featured in my past posts. Stay ahead of the curve with concise, data-driven analysis delivered straight to your inbox.