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 (Sept 6): Trading on the local bourse remained lacklustre amid lack of strong buying impetus.
The FBM KLCI moved in a tight range between 1,599 points and 1,606 points. It managed to end in positive zone to close at 1,604.47 points — the highest level for the week. The benchmark index was up 0.3%.
Week-on-week, however, the FBM KLCI fell 0.48% from its closing of 1,612.14 on Aug 30.
Across the bourse, a total of 1.65 billion shares were traded, valued at RM1.43 billion. The low trading volume indicates the current poor appetite for Malaysian stocks. Market breadth turned positive, as 364 gainers outnumbered 309 decliners, while 478 counters were unchanged.
The ringgit strengthened to 4.1790 against the greenback at the time of writing, continuing its recovery since touching a three-year low of 4.2203 on Sept 3.
Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) sees that the FBM KLCI has formed a base at the 1,600 level having been through the consolidation phase moving between 1,580 and 1,620 over the past month.
“We still believe that the FBM KLCI has stabilised around the 1,580 — 1,600 levels, where the downside risk could be limited.
“The KLCI may retest the 1,620 level,” said the research house in a note.
The gainers were led by British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd, MISC Bhd and Shangri-La Hotels (M) Bhd, while Nestle (M) Bhd topped the decliners. The most actively traded stock was Priceworth International Bhd .
Similarly, markets in the region rose amid easing trade war concerns. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.54%, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.22%, while the Shanghai Composite Index increased 0.46%.
Reuters reported that Asian stocks gained on Friday, joining a global trend as investors took heart from firm US economic data and hopes a meeting between US and Chinese negotiators next month signals an easing in trade tensions.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan added 0.4%, putting it on track for a 2.2% weekly gain — which would make it the best week since mid-June, it said.
Source: The Edge

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