KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
The FBM KLCI gained 0.5% or 8.7 points as Asian market pushed higher, led by the Japanese market.
 |
| FBM KLCI kickstart October in a positive mood |
As at 5pm, the benchmark index closed at 1,661.25 points, as the Japanese led the Asian equity market rally on weaker yen as US interest rate hike expectation strengthened the US dollar.
The Finance Index increased 0.65% to 14,249.84 points, the Properties Index up 0.47% to 1,209.86 points and the Plantation Index rose 0.37% to 7,949.49 points. The market traded within a range of 8.00 points between an intra-day high of 1,666.02 and a low of 1,658.02 during the session.
Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.83% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged higher by 0.45%. China markets are closed this week for the National Day holidays.
Asian shares shrugged off a sluggish start and pushed higher on Tuesday, with Japanese markets leading the way after an upbeat US manufacturing survey bolstered the dollar according to reports by Reuters.
The upbeat US factory numbers had a mixed impact on US shares overnight. While strong survey reassured investors worried about the strength of the US economy, it also encouraged bets that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates as early as this year. Higher rates, while good for the dollar, could pressure equities markets, it says.
Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.49 billion shares valued at RM1.94 billion were traded. A total of 408 counters ended higher while 398 fell. Trading volume decreased as compared to Friday’s 1.75 billion shares worth RM2.19 billion.
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd was the top gainer while the biggest decliner was Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd. Today's most-active counter was Borneo Oil Bhd.
Comments
Post a Comment