PETALING JAYA: Bursa Malaysia is expected to witness cautious trading this week amid a lack of major catalysts to influence investors’ risk appetite.

       Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng reckoned that the local market will see some headwinds next week amid the heightening regional volatility.

       “Nonetheless, we believe accumulation of stocks will persist on dips,” he told Bernama.

       Meanwhile, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid opined that the index is having difficulties trying to break the 1,600-point psychological level.

       “I think the similar dynamics would continue next week as investors would continue to be more anxious as the United States Federal Reserve’s May 3 and 4 Federal Open Market Committee meeting draws nearer.

       “Perhaps fund managers would prefer to hold more cash at this juncture given the lingering uncertainties,” he added.

       On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the FBM KLCI slipped 18.28 points to end the week at 1,589.01 from 1,607.29 in the previous week.