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 (April 30): The FBM KLCI gained 4.89 points or 0.3% to close at 1,642.29, partially lifted by gains in banking stocks including Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd (HLFG) and Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank). HLFG closed 18 sen up at RM19.22 while Maybank gained 11 sen to RM9.25. HLFG and Maybank ended among Bursa Malaysia top gainers. “Some of the banking stocks rebounded, such as Maybank and HLFG which are constituent stocks. Especially Maybank, which is a heavyweight,” Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong Teck Meng said. Across Bursa Malaysia, 2.36 billion shares were traded for RM2.24 billion. Leading gainers included Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd and KLCI stock Digi.Com Bhd. Globally, the KLCI bucked Asia shares' decline today as investors evaluated China's April manufacturing and non-manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) numbers. Bloomberg reported that the manufacturing PMI stood at 50.1, down from 50.5 ...