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 (May 3): The FBM KLCI closed 0.23 points or 0.01% lower along with regional peers. Reuters reported that Asian shares slipped on Thursday as hopes waned for real progress in Sino-US trade talks, while the US dollar consolidated recent bumper gains after the Federal Reserve reaffirmed the outlook for more rate hikes.
Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong Teck Meng told theedgemarkets.com that the KLCI closed slightly lower or flat mainly because most of the market is also on the downside, but still supported by a few bluechips such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd and KLCC Stapled Group.
“Souring the mood were reports the Trump administration is considering executive action to restrict some Chinese companies’ ability to sell telecoms equipment in the US,” the newswire said, adding that talks between US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He are due to kick off later on Thursday.
At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI closed at 1,851.80 points at 5pm, after rising to an intraday peak of 1,856.92 points in the afternoon.
Wong noted that sentiment remains fragile, although corporate results seem to be performing. “Investors are still waiting for fresh upside [catalysts],” he added.
“They (US Federal Reserve) are looking forward for two more hikes during the year that hopefully can cushion the inflation of 2%. The US Fed is not expected to have another hike. It’s just what is going to be the next,” said Wong.
Today, Bursa Malaysia saw 1.67 billion shares, worth RM2.19 billion, traded. Losers led gainers by 407 to 382, while 409 counters remained unchanged.
Index-linked Telekom Malaysia Bhd and Petronas Gas Bhd led the fall today.
Across Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.16%, South Korea's Kospi fell 0.73% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 1.34%.
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