KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index closed lower today, in line with most regional markets, as investors adjusted their risk exposure amid spiralling oil prices driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict, now in its second month. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) retreated by 24.75 points or 1.44 per cent to 1,687.90 from Friday’s close of 1,712.65. The market bellwether opened 10.57 points weaker at 1,702.08 and fluctuated between 1,682.79 and 1,702.38. The broader market was bearish, with decliners thumping advancers 956 to 371. A total of 373 counters were unchanged, 1,042 untraded and 134 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.98 billion units worth RM4.85 billion from last Friday’s 2.97 billion units worth RM3.25 billion.
The market dropped as anticipated, with the FBMKLCI closing 1.1% lower to 1,644.41. This was in line with the global equities' decline.
US equities closed near flatline Tuesday, after a choppy trading session, as US oil prices seesawed and investors looked ahead to Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen’s testimony.
Across the exchange, a total of 887.61 million shares, worth RM1.06 billion, were traded. Market sentiment was bearish, as decliners beat gainers by 506 to 249, while 220 counters were unchanged.
Leading the decliners were blue chips like Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd, while gainers were led by Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd. The top active stock was Tiger Synergy Bhd.
Across the region, Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.31%, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.52%. China stock markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.
According to Bloomberg data, the ringgit strengthened to 4.1243 against the US dollar and traded at 2.9642 against the Singapore dollar.
Brent crude gained 2.3% to US$31.02 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.1% to US$28.52 per barrel.
The drop in the global market is largely due to the growing concerns about the health of the world's banks, particularly in Europe, pushing investors into safer assets such as the yen, which stood near a 15-month high versus the dollar.
US equities closed near flatline Tuesday, after a choppy trading session, as US oil prices seesawed and investors looked ahead to Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen’s testimony.
Across the exchange, a total of 887.61 million shares, worth RM1.06 billion, were traded. Market sentiment was bearish, as decliners beat gainers by 506 to 249, while 220 counters were unchanged.
Leading the decliners were blue chips like Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd, while gainers were led by Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd. The top active stock was Tiger Synergy Bhd.
Across the region, Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.31%, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.52%. China stock markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.
According to Bloomberg data, the ringgit strengthened to 4.1243 against the US dollar and traded at 2.9642 against the Singapore dollar.
Brent crude gained 2.3% to US$31.02 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.1% to US$28.52 per barrel.
The drop in the global market is largely due to the growing concerns about the health of the world's banks, particularly in Europe, pushing investors into safer assets such as the yen, which stood near a 15-month high versus the dollar.
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