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 (Nov 28): The FBM KLCI closed 5.44 points or 0.3% lower as China's move to curb shadow banking and other risky forms of financing hit Asian market sentiment. Malaysian shares also tracked crude oil losses.
At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,714.42 points. China's Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite erased intraday losses to end 0.34% higher.
Reuters reported that investor confidence in China has been dented by rising bond yields as Beijing stepped up its crackdown on shadow banking and other risky forms of financing. Higher borrowing costs threaten to squeeze corporate profits.
It was also reported that oil prices slipped in Asian trade on Tuesday amid uncertainty over a possible extension of output cuts by major crude producers and expectations of higher supply as the Keystone pipeline restarts. Brent futures had fallen to US$63.72 a barrel by 0753 GMT, down 12 cents, or 0.2 percent, from their previous close.
In Malaysia, Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com: “This (KLCI's drop) has been led by regional selldown. I’m worried about China. It hasn’t been a huge selldown but it’s continuing.”
Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.8 billion shares worth RM2.1 billion were traded. There were 268 gainers and 556 decliners.
Top decliners included oil and gas-related Hengyuan Refining Co Bhd.
Hengyuan shares dropped 26 sen to RM10.40 to become Bursa Malaysia's fourth-largest decliner.
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