KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 20): Trading volume across Bursa Malaysia rose past 10 billion securities in afternoon trades today on what analysts deem as a strong return of retail investors’ interest in small market capitalisation stocks (small caps) in the rubber glove and healthcare related sectors amid a rising number of Covid-19 infections globally.

At 4:23pm,10.08 billion securities worth RM5.29 billion were traded across Bursa.

TA Securities Holdings Bhd analysts wrote in a note earlier today: "Rubber gloves and healthcare related stocks surged on Monday given the firm demand outlook from the resurgent Covid-19 cases globally, helped further by the strong return of retail participation in small caps and ACE Market stocks. The FBM KLCI climbed 14.27 points to close at 1,518.11, off an early low of 1,505.92 and high of 1,521.91, as gainers led losers 723 to 387 on robust trade totalling 9.5 billion shares worth RM5.4 billion."

“(Today,) blue chips should pull back following the overnight US stock market correction amid renewed uncertainty over a new US stimulus package ahead of a deadline and surging Covid-19 infections worldwide, but strong retail interest in small caps in the rubber glove and healthcare related sectors should still highlight trading,” they said.

At 4:23pm, the KLCI fell 4.94 points or 0.33% to 1,513.17.