KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Tuesday, outperforming most regional markets as investors continued to rotate towards commodity and plantation-related stocks, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 7.47 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 1,733.36 compared with Monday’s close of 1,725.89. The benchmark index opened 1.63 points higher at 1,727.52, and fluctuated between 1,723.60 and 1,734.53 throughout the day. On the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 762 to 438, while 576 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 16 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.74 billion units valued at RM2.91 billion from 3.45 billion units valued at RM2.74 billion on Monday.
KUALA LUMPUR (May 2): The FBM KLCI fell 18.34 points or 0.98% today, as investors turn cautious in anticipation of US Federal Reserve's policy decision, while awaiting US jobs data for fresh cues.
At 5pm, the benchmark index slid to 1,852.03 points, though the small-cap index held firm with a marginal 0.05-point slip, ending the day at 14,579.9 points.
"I think it is rotational. Fund managers have possibly repositioned themselves to take advantage of the small- and mid-cap stocks after seeing emerging values," said Rakuen Trade Sdn head of research Kenny Yee when contacted.
Yee said while it is widely expected that the US is not looking to hike interest rates, all eyes are on its upcoming policy statement to gather clues on the future pace of US monetary tightening.
Reuters reported that the policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to release a statement early Thursday, while the US latest jobs data are due Friday.
Investors are betting that the Fed is likely to keep rates steady this month, but will likely encourage expectations that it will lift borrowing costs in June, on the back of rising inflation and low unemployment.
In Malaysia, a total of 2.1 billion shares worth RM2.44 billion crossed on the back of a largely negative market breadth. A total of 551 counters declined, outstripping 311 advancers.
Index-linked Nestle (M) Bhd and Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd led the fall today, with Nestle shares shedding RM4.90 or 3.55% to RM133.10, while the latter lost 44 sen or 2.26% to settle at RM19.04.
Other regional bourses also closed lower: South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.39%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 edged down 0.16%. In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index saw a slight weakening with a 0.03% decline, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.27%.
Source: The Edge
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