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.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 4): The FBM KLCI rose 11.94 points or 0.7% as Japan shares rose substantially on a weaker yen.
At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI settled at 1,647.47 points on gains in stocks like Sime Darby Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd. Bursa Malaysia saw 1.98 billion shares, worth RM1.65 billion traded.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 2.51% as a weaker yen led to expectation of higher earnings for exporters. Reuters reported Japan's Nikkei share average started 2017 trading on a strong note on Wednesday, as investors cheered upbeat global economic data released during Japan's holidays, and a weaker yen boosted exporters.
In Malaysia, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior research executive Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com that the KLCI's movement today was in line with key regional indices.
Leong said "there is still upside in the KLCI, premised on higher crude palm oil (CPO) and crude oil prices”.
Such CPO price sentiment followed the ringgit's depreciation today to a fresh one-year level against the U.S. dollar at 4.5002. At 5:27pm, the ringgit was traded at 4.4975 against the U.S. dollar.
A weaker ringgit makes Malaysian CPO more competitive in world markets, hence anticipation of higher demand for the commodity.
Source: The Edge

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