KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index rebounded from earlier losses to close at its intraday high on Wednesday, gaining 0.27 per cent in late trading as buying interest returned to selected heavyweights. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced 4.48 points to 1,676.83 from Tuesday’s close of 1,672.35. The benchmark index opened 0.88 of-a-point lower at 1,671.47 and subsequently hit a low of 1,665.94 during the mid-morning session before gaining momentum toward closing. On the broader market, losers led gainers by 565 to 512, while some 526 counters were unchanged, 1,046 untraded, and 10 suspended. Turnover improved to 2.73 billion units worth RM2.76 billion versus Tuesday’s 2.66 billion units worth RM2.76 billion. Dealers said that investors were cautious following geopolitical developments in Asia.
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): The FBM KLCI closed 3.08 points or 0.17% lower at 1,773.58 points today, weighed by declines at CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.
AmInvestment Bank retail research vice president Lim Sai Wai told theedgemarkets.com that other than the drag from CIMB, the index was relatively flat today.
"It's quite obvious it's because of CIMB, and it takes time for traders to digest the news," said Lim.
He was referring to CIMB's confirmation that its Japanese shareholder Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) has sold its entire stake of 412 million shares, equivalent to a 4.6% stake in the group, via an overnight block trade.
The banking group, however, did not say as to who the buyers were, nor how much the stake were sold for. On Bursa Malaysia, CIMB shares declined 15 sen or 2.32% to close at RM6.31, after dropping as low as RM6.22 earlier in the day.
"Apart from that, the general market [is seeing] more losers, but the small cap index closed positive. It is on the verge of recovering above a major resistance level," Lim added.
Today, Bursa Malaysia saw 3.15 billion shares, worth RM2.38 billion, traded. There were 352 gainers compared to 432 decliners.
KESM Industries Bhd topped the gainers list, closing 6.11% higher at RM15.98, while Far East Holdings Bhd led the decliners as it fell 6.12% to settle at RM9.20.
Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd was the most active counter, with over 416.67 million shares traded. It closed 39.78% higher at 65 sen.
Across Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 0.05%, South Korea's Kospi fell 0.16% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.27%.
Reuters reported that Japanese stocks were nearly flat on Wednesday after scaling highs not seen in more than two years on Tuesday, as investors stayed cautious before the completion of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting later today.
Traders said investors stayed on the sidelines as they awaited signals from the Fed on when it will hike rates again and start shrinking its balance sheet, said Reuters.
The US central bank is expected to announce when it will begin paring its bond holdings, and while a September interest rate increase is not expected, investors will closely study Fed Chair Janet Yellen's views on inflation for clues to whether the Fed will raise rates in December, the news agency added.
Source: The Edge
Comments
Post a Comment