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 benchmark KLCI FBM index lost 19.88 points or 1.2% to close at 1,633.3.
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| FBM KLCI downtrend continued as oil stumbles |
Last week, the market had a short rally after the
announcement made by Prime Minister Najib on the recalibrated Budget 2016 but
at this level, the KLCI is on a lower level than after the rally.
The decline in the index is in line with the world market, as oil price's decline worsen after hopes for oil-producing nations to reach an agreement for cutting production seem to falter.
It appears that the bear market is here to stay.Most Asian markets tumbled today as oil prices dropped for a third day. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 3.15%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell by 2.36%, China's Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.38%, Australia's S&P/ASX200 dropped by 2.33%, and South Korea's Kospi Index shed 0.84%. Singapore's Straits Times Index also fell by 1.1%.
Shell Refining Co (Federation of Malaya) Bhd was the biggest decliner, falling by as much as 29.96% to RM3.46 before paring its losses to close at RM3.68. Shell Refining's major shareholder Shell Overseas Holdings Ltd has agreed to sell its 51% stake at a huge discount, for RM1.80 apiece.
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