KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index closed lower today, in line with most regional markets, as investors adjusted their risk exposure amid spiralling oil prices driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict, now in its second month. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) retreated by 24.75 points or 1.44 per cent to 1,687.90 from Friday’s close of 1,712.65. The market bellwether opened 10.57 points weaker at 1,702.08 and fluctuated between 1,682.79 and 1,702.38. The broader market was bearish, with decliners thumping advancers 956 to 371. A total of 373 counters were unchanged, 1,042 untraded and 134 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.98 billion units worth RM4.85 billion from last Friday’s 2.97 billion units worth RM3.25 billion.
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 16): The FBM KLCI rose 0.72% for a third consecutive day of gains amid continued expectations of slowing trade tensions between the US and China ahead of the G20 meeting later this month.
The benchmark index trailed overnight gains at Wall Street to open higher today, and stayed flat in the green before closing up 12.17 points at 1,706.38.
Reuters reported that Asian shares had started firm after reports the US might pause on further China tariffs gave Wall Street a fillip, but a near 17% plunge in Nvidia's stock tempered the mood.
Across Bursa Malaysia, gainers led decliners by 450 counters against 345, whereas 390 counters traded unchanged. Some 1.85 billion shares worth RM1.89 billion exchanged hands.
An analyst at AmInvest Research attributed the market-wide gain to "short-term optimism based on global market movements and news on international trade".
"People are expecting [US president Donald] Trump and [China president] Xi Jinping to iron [out] some of the trade concerns in the G20 Summit in Argentina," said the analyst.
"China is a heavyweight for Asian shares, whereas the development over at Brexit is more isolated towards the EU," the analyst added.
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.31%, South Korea's Kospi gained 0.21% and the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite jumped 0.41%.
In Malaysia, gainers were led by KLCI component stock Nestle (M) Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd and Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd. British American Tobacco (M) Bhd led decliners, followed by Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd and KESM Industries Bhd.
Source: The Edge

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