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 (Oct 9): The FBM KLCI closed down 1.6 points or 0.09% along with Asian shares after China allowed its currency to depreciate. The yuan's devaluation raised concerns on China's economic growth.
At 5pm, the KLCI settled at 1,774.15 points. Across Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 1.32% lower while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.11%.
"With Chinese economic momentum continuing to weaken alongside increasing pressure from the United States, currency weakness is the obvious release valve," Reuters quoted JPMorgan analysts as saying in a note.
In Malaysia, JF Apex Securities Bhd head of research Lee Chung Cheng told theedgemarkets.com that trading activities were “muted” today, and it is expected to be the same for the rest of the week.
Lee added: "There are external factors affecting regional market sentiment."
Reuters reported that Asian shares hit 17-month lows on Tuesday as China allowed its currency to slip amid recent losses in domestic share markets, a shift that pressured other emerging currencies.
China's Central Bank fixed its yuan at 6.9019 per dollar on Tuesday, so breaching the 6.9000 barrier and leading speculators to push the dollar up to 6.9120 in the spot market.
Across Bursa Malaysia, trading volume was 1.8 billion shares worth RM1.53 billion.
The biggest decliners included Petronas Gas Bhd and MI Equipment Holdings Bhd. Top decliner Petronas Gas fell 44 sen to close at RM18.30.
Source: The Edge

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