# Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE): What it is, How it Works

> **Definition**
>
> The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE), now known as Bursa Malaysia, is recognized as one of the largest exchanges for securities trading in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

## What Is the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE)?

The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) is the former name of a Malaysian [stock exchange](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/04/092404.asp) located in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The KLSE dates back to 1930 and was specifically created to allow the trading of Malaysian [securities](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/security.asp). The exchange went through several name changes over the years but is now known as Bursa Malaysia.﻿﻿

KLSE is one of the largest exchanges in the [Association of Southeast Asian Nations](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/asean.asp) (ASEAN), allowing traders to trade equities, exchange traded funds (ETFs), offshore Islamic assets, and other securities.﻿﻿

### Key Takeaways

*   The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange is a Malaysian stock exchange now known as Bursa Malaysia.
*   It is one of the largest exchanges in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and is fully automated.
*   Equities, exchange traded funds, offshore Islamic assets, and other securities are listed on the exchange.
*   The exchange's main index is the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, which is composed of the top 30 companies on the Bursa Malaysia Exchange.

## Understanding the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE)

As noted above, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange is now known as Bursa Malaysia. The exchange is fully integrated and offers [clearing](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/clearing.asp), [trading](https://www.investopedia.com/trading-4427765), listing, depository, and settlement services. It has a fully automated trading system which launched in late 2008.

According to the exchange's website, 900 companies are able to use it to raise [capital](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/capital.asp) through a number of different economic activities. Its main index is the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI), now known as FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, which is composed of the top 30 companies on the Bursa Malaysia Exchange.

A number of different financial securities are traded on Bursa Malaysia, including equities, bonds, [derivatives](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/derivative.asp), [exchange-traded products](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/exchange-traded-products-etp.asp) (ETPs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs). There's also an Islamic market team that promotes Shariah-compliant capital markets to cater to the nation's Muslim majority. This market includes domestic and offshore Islamic assets as well as [Islamic banking](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/islamicbanking.asp), the Shari'ah-compliant trading platform that was launched in 2009.

Companies that want to [list on the exchange](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bhd-berhad.asp) have three options available including the main or prime market for large, established [corporations](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/corporation.asp), as well as the ACE market for companies that have the potential for growth. The final option is known as the LEAP market, which is meant for up-and-coming small- and mid-sized companies.

Bursa Malaysia also works with other global corporations and exchanges to promote performance and [transparency](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/transparency.asp) in global capital markets. For instance, it entered into a partnership with the [Chicago Mercantile Exchange](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cme.asp) (CME) to offer derivatives. This agreement is valid until 2025.

> **Important**
>
> If you want to invest in the Malaysian market, consider a mutual fund, exchange traded fund, or an American depositary receipt.

## Special Considerations

Traders are only able to [short-sell](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortselling.asp) equity-based [exchange traded funds](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/etf.asp), but that may change in the future. In July 2018, Bursa Malaysia released a consultation paper that sought public comment on a proposed amendment related to ETFs.﻿﻿ This call comes after a task force on ETFs, which included the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), Bursa Malaysia, and other [market](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/market.asp) participants made recommendations aimed at expanding investor interest in ETFs. Recommendations from the task force urged including ETFs, such as:

*   [Futures](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/futures.asp)\-based ETFs
*   Leveraged ETFs
*   Inverse ETFs
*   Physically backed commodity ETFs
*   Synthetic ETFs

In service of these goals, the rule changes would loosen regulations on the short-selling framework to allow various short-selling types of ETF units.

## History of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE)

The exchange dates back to 1930, when it was established as the Singapore Stockbrokers' Association. This was the first securities business developed in the Southeast Asian nation.﻿﻿ It went through a series of name changes including the Malayan Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Malaysia.﻿﻿ Securities trading to the public began in 1960 and the exchange was [incorporated](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/incorporate.asp) as a company in 1976.﻿﻿

In a move to become more customer-focused, the exchange [demutualized](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/demutualization.asp) in 2004.﻿﻿ With demutualization, a business that has member ownership converts into one that has [shareholders](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shareholder.asp). With this change in ownership structure, the name changed to Bursa Malaysia.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Bursa Malaysia. "[Corporate History](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/about_bursa/about_us/corporate_history)." Accessed Nov. 17, 2020.
>     
> 2.  Bursa Malaysia. "[Who We Are](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/about_bursa/about_us/who_we_are)." Accessed Dec. 1, 2020.
>     
> 3.  Bursa Malaysia. "[About Us](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/about_bursa/about_us/overview)." Accessed Dec. 1, 2020.
>     
> 4.  Bursa Malaysia. "[FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/trade/our_products_services/indices/ftse_bursa_malaysia_indices/ftse_bursa_malaysia_klci)." Accessed Nov. 17, 2020.
>     
> 5.  Bursa Malaysia. "[Islamic Market](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/trade/market/islamic_market)." Accessed Dec. 1, 2020.
>     
> 6.  Bursa Malaysia. "[Listing on Bursa Malaysia](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/listing/get_listed/listing_criteria)." Accessed Dec. 1, 2020.
>     
> 7.  Bursa Malaysia. "[BURSA MALAYSIA EXTENDS AGREEMENT TO HOST ITS DERIVATIVES PRODUCTS ON CME GLOBEX, AND PLANS TO ACQUIRE THE REMAINING 25% EQUITY INTEREST IN BURSA MALAYSIA DERIVATIVES](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/about_bursa/media_centre/bursa-malaysia-extends-agreement-to-host-its-derivatives-products-on-cme-globex-and-plans-to-acquire-the-remaining-25-percent-equity-interest-in-bursa-malaysia-derivatives)." Accessed Dec. 1, 2020.
>     
> 8.  Bursa Malaysia. "[Consultation Paper No. 2/18](https://www.bursamalaysia.com/sites/5bb54be15f36ca0af339077a/assets/5bd78b9e5f36ca1b47b4e5ed/CP_ETF_Enhancements_final.pdf)," Page 4. Accessed Nov. 17, 2020.