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.
| Wall Street market back on track as oil gain |
Brent crude hovered above $40 a barrel on Wednesday.
However, industry watchers remain skeptical of a sustained recovery in prices due to the oversupply.
Reuters reported that at 9:37 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 45.78 points, or 0.27%, at 17,009.88, the S&P 500 was up 6.14 points, or 0.31%, at 1,985.4 and the Nasdaq Composite index was up 7.63 points, or 0.16%, at 4,656.46.
Markets worldwide were lower on Wednesday as investors fretted about global economic conditions ahead of central bank meetings on monetary policies. This was largely due to the disappointing data coming out from China.
US economy may seems to have find its footing with the recent data and reports but Asia and Euro zone are not looking so positive with a faltering growth outlook.
According to a news report from Reuters, the European Central Bank, which will meet later this week, is expected to increase its stimulus program. While the U.S. Federal Reserve is not expected to raise interest rates at its meeting on March 15-16, the central bank has said it is on track to raise rates gradually this year.
The gainers on New York stock exchange outnumbered decliners by 2,076 to 542 while 1,576 counters rose and 582 fell on the Nasdaq.
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