KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to end higher today with the benchmark FBM KLCI reclaiming the 1,700 psychological level, supported by improved global sentiment after US President Donald Trump signalled a potential de-escalation of the Iran conflict, alongside Malaysia’s stronger Industrial Production Index (IPI) data. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increased 27.51 points, or 1.64 per cent, to 1,701.68 from yesterday’s close of 1,674.17. The benchmark index opened 10.68 points higher at 1,684.85, its lowest point today, and hit a high of 1,703.61 in the late afternoon session. Market breadth was positive, with gainers thumping losers 929 to 382. A total of 361 counters were unchanged, 982 untraded and 19 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.60 billion units worth RM3.75 billion from yesterday’s 5.52 billion units worth RM5.87 billion.
KUALA LUMPUR (May 26): The FBM KLCI fell 1.66 points or 0.1% to 1,772.30 points at 5pm today, after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) output cut extension disappointed investors.
Investors had earlier hoped OPEC would do more to support crude oil prices. They were disappointed by the absence of additional cut in crude oil production by OPEC.
Reuters reported at Thursday's meeting in Vienna that OPEC and some non-OPEC producers agreed to extend a pledge to cut around 1.8 million barrels per day, until the end of the first quarter of 2018. The initial agreement would have expired in June this year.
It was reported Brent futures were up 28 cents at US$51.74 a barrel at 0837 GMT today.
In Malaysia today, JF Apex Securities Bhd research head Lee Chung Cheng told theedgemarkets.com that oil and gas share losses weighed on the KLCI.
“There were some disappointment in the market after OPEC's meeting, a lot of people are expecting a bigger output cut, as you can see there were sell down on the oil and gas stocks, which dragged the whole market sentiment.
“We think this is just temporary; as you can see, oil prices have come up again towards the afternoon, but for next week, we still see sideway trading within the local market,” Lee said.
Bursa Malaysia saw 771 decliners versus 208 gainers. Trading volume was 2.86 billion shares, worth RM2.61 billion.
The biggest decliner was oil and gas entity Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, while Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd led gainers.
Source: The Edge

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