MONEY MASTER

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 30): Bursa Malaysia rose 0.7% to end at an intraday high on Tuesday (Aug 30), rebounding from earlier losses on persistent buying interest in heavyweight stocks, said a dealer. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 10.48 points to 1,512.05, from Monday’s close of 1,501.57. The benchmark index opened 0.79 of a point easier at 1,500.78 on Tuesday morning, hitting a low of 1,496.8 in early trading. On the broader market, gainers led decliners 453 to 405, while 425 counters were unchanged, 1,049 untraded, and 53 others suspended. Total turnover rose to 2.86 billion units worth RM2.72 billion from 1.94 billion units worth RM1.59 billion on Monday. Bursa Malaysia opened easier and continued to trade mostly in negative territory, with profit-taking seen in selected heavyweight stocks, bucking Asian equities which were mostly higher in the morning session on Tuesday. However, the local bourse rebounded at mid-afternoon to end the day on a firm note, l

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 29): Bursa Malaysia bucked the regional trend to end slightly higher, to stay just a whisker above the key 1,500 level, as buying interspersed with selling in heavyweights, said a dealer. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 1.28 points better at 1,501.57 from last Friday’s closing of 1,500.29. The benchmark index opened 13.77 points lower at 1,486.52 on Monday morning and moved between 1,481.79 points and 1,506.55 points throughout the day. On the broader market, losers trumped gainers 616 to 278, while 387 counters were unchanged, 1,078 untraded, and 81 others suspended. Total turnover fell to 1.94 billion units worth RM1.59 billion from 2.40 billion units worth RM1.86 billion last Friday. A dealer said Bursa Malaysia opened sharply lower but turned positive at mid-morning on bargain hunting in selected heavyweights, led by plantation, consumer products and financial heavyweights, before succumbing to selling pressure at midda

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 25): Bursa Malaysia snapped six days of losses to trend broadly higher with the composite index finishing at its intraday high, rising 1.92%, driven by improving market sentiment across the region, a dealer said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 28.23 points to end at 1,495.49 compared with Wednesday's close of 1,467.26. The benchmark index opened 3.11 points better on Thursday morning at its intraday low of 1,470.37 but gradually gathered momentum to rally towards closing. On the broader market, gainers beat losers 664 to 294, while 366 counters were unchanged, 1,008 untraded, and seven others suspended. Total turnover fell to 2.64 billion units worth RM2.10 billion from 2.88 billion units worth RM1.72 billion on Wednesday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI closed sharply higher as investors took opportunity to bargain hunt for stocks at lower levels following six days of

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 24): Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Wednesday (Aug 24), tracking the heavy selling on regional indices as investors were concerned about the release of weak western economic data while the drought-driven power shortages in China added to industry woes in the republic. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined 15.31 points or 1.03% to end at 1,467.26 compared with Tuesday's closing of 1,482.57. The benchmark index opened 1.53 points higher at 1,484.1 this morning and moved between 1,464.83 and 1,487.97 throughout the day. On the broader market, decliners beat gainers 522 to 349, while 390 counters were unchanged, 1,071 untraded, and seven others suspended. Total turnover rose to 2.88 billion units worth RM1.72 billion from 2.03 billion units worth RM1.55 billion on Tuesday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the local market was heavily impacted by increasing regional and global risks and u

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 23): Bursa Malaysia pared most of its earlier losses to close off its intraday low on Tuesday (Aug 23), falling 0.3%, after some buying activity emerged for oil and gas and telecommunications stocks during the final hour of trading, a trader said. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had declined 4.80 points to end at 1,482.57, compared with Monday’s closing at 1,487.37. The benchmark index opened 2.45 points easier at 1,484.92 in the morning at its intraday high, and hit a low of 1,477.54 during the mid-morning session. On the broader market, decliners beat gainers 467 to 407, while 416 counters were unchanged, 1,028 untraded, and seven others suspended. Total turnover declined to 2.03 billion units worth RM1.55 billion, from 2.18 billion units worth RM1.56 billion on Monday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said despite the cautious market undertone, bargain hunting is expected to prevail given the cheap valuations of local st

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 22): Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Monday (Aug 22) as investors continued to take profit amid mixed performance in regional bourses, with the sentiment remaining cautious due to regional and global uncertainties. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined 17.07 points, or 1.13%, to end at 1,487.37 compared with Friday's close of 1,504.44. The benchmark index, which opened 2.83 points weaker at 1,501.61 on Monday morning, moved between 1,486.37 and 1,502.07 throughout the day. On the broader market, decliners led gainers 670 to 219, while 377 counters were unchanged, 1,062 untraded, and 17 others suspended. Total turnover advanced to 2.18 billion units worth RM1.56 billion from 2.11 billion units worth RM1.53 billion on last Friday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said regional key indices trended mixed as concerns over a global economic slowdown and continued increase in interest rates weighed on

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): Bursa Malaysia ended the week broadly lower, driven by persistent profit-taking, mostly seen in telecommunications and healthcare companies, amid cautious sentiments in the regional markets, dealers said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined 12.18 points to end at 1,504.44, compared with Thursday's close of 1,516.62. The benchmark index, which opened 0.20 of a point better at 1,516.82 in the morning, moved between 1,502.91 and 1,519.68 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative as losers led gainers 426 to 395, while 449 counters were unchanged, 1,040 untraded, and 17 others suspended. Total turnover decreased to 2.11 billion units worth RM1.53 billion, from 2.51 billion units worth RM1.95 billion on Thursday. Axiata Group Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd were among the biggest contributors to the losses in the composite index, declining 12 sen and 10 sen to RM3 and RM6.41 respectively, contributing a combined 3.37 points.

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): Bursa Malaysia extended Wednesday's losses to close lower on Thursday (Aug 18) on persistent profit-taking, mostly seen in transportation and logistics, as well as utilities companies, amid the weaker performance on the regional markets, dealers said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.54 points to end at 1,516.62, compared with Wednesday's close of 1,518.16. The benchmark index, which opened 1.38 points easier at 1,516.78 in the morning, moved between 1,514.67 and 1,522.52 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative as losers led gainers 487 to 364, while 415 counters were unchanged, 1,032 untraded, and six others suspended. Total turnover decreased to 2.51 billion units worth RM1.95 billion, from 2.72 billion units worth RM1.91 billion on Wednesday. MISC and TNB were among the biggest contributors to the losses in the composite index, declining 35 sen and 9.0 sen to RM6.87 and RM8.78 respectively, contributing a

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 17): Bursa Malaysia erased earlier gains to close marginally lower on Wednesday (Aug 17) as profit-taking emerged in utilities as well as telecommunications companies, amid cautious performance on the regional markets, dealers said. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.62 of-a-point to end at 1,518.16 compared with Tuesday's close of 1,518.78. The benchmark index, which opened 0.77 of-a-point higher at 1,519.55 on Wednesday morning, moved between 1,516.57 and 1,527.84 throughout the day. Market breadth was slightly negative as losers led gainers 444 to 394, while 436 counters were unchanged, 1,005 untraded, and six others suspended. Total turnover increased to 2.72 billion units worth RM1.91 billion from 2.69 billion units worth RM2.22 billion on Tuesday. Petronas Gas Bhd and Digi.Com Bhd were among the biggest contributors to the losses in the composite index, contributing a combined 1.87 points. Petronas Gas declined 28 sen to RM17.02

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 16): Late buying in selected index-linked telecommunication companies (telcos) lifted Bursa Malaysia to close at its intraday high on Tuesday (Aug 16), amid mixed performance on the regional markets, dealers said. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 14.77 points to end at 1,518.78, compared with Monday's close of 1,504.01. The benchmark index, which opened 0.08 of a point higher at 1,504.09 on Tuesday morning, hit a low of 1,503.86 during the early strading session. Market breadth was also positive, as gainers thumped losers 469 to 399, while 443 counters were unchanged, 954 untraded, and six others suspended. Total turnover increased to 2.69 billion units worth RM2.22 billion, from 2.54 billion units worth RM1.73 billion on Monday. Digi.Com and Axiata were among the biggest contributors to the gains in the composite index, rising 21 sen and 17 sen to RM3.86 and RM3.08 respectively, contributing a combined 5.44 points. Meanwhile, Rakut

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 15): Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Monday (Aug 15) amid mixed sentiment on regional markets, as profit-taking set in on selected heavyweights after their recent gains, dealers said. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slipped 2.18 points to end at 1,504.01 compared with Friday's close of 1,506.19. The benchmark index, which opened 0.23 of-a-point higher at 1,506.42 on Monday morning, moved between 1,503.02 and 1,510.11 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was also negative as losers beat gainers 496 to 319, while 442 counters were unchanged, 1,020 untraded, and 18 others suspended. Total turnover increased to 2.54 billion units worth RM1.73 billion from 2.08 billion units worth RM1.63 billion on Friday. Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd were among the biggest contributors to the losses in the composite index. Maybank declined six sen to RM8.91 while Sime Darby Plantation fell eight sen to RM4.56, contributi

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 12): Bursa Malaysia closed higher for the second consecutive day on Friday (Aug 12), with the benchmark index ending above the 1,500-psychological level, thanks to persistent buying support in selected heavyweights, especially banking and plantation counters. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) added 0.63 of-a-point to end the week at 1,506.19 compared with Thursday's close of 1,505.56, as gains were limited by mild profit-taking. The benchmark index, which opened 0.49 of-a-point weaker at 1,505.07 this morning, moved between 1,504.21 and 1,511.80 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was positive with gainers leading losers 440 to 367, while 442 counters were unchanged, 1,034 untraded, and 24 others suspended. Total turnover decreased to 2.08 billion units worth RM1.63 billion from 2.55 billion units worth RM1.97 billion on Thursday. Sime Darby Plantation Bhd was the biggest gainer among the 30 index-linked counters, putting on 1.

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 11): Bursa Malaysia rebounded from Wednesday's (Aug 10) losses to close broadly higher on Thursday, with the benchmark index breaching and staying above the 1,500-psychological level amid positive market sentiment across the region. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 13.23 points to end the day at its intraday high of 1,505.56 compared with Wednesday's close of 1,492.33, driven by continuous buying momentum in selected index-linked counters led by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd. The benchmark index opened 5.48 points better at 1,497.81 this morning and remained in positive territory throughout the session. Banking stocks were mostly upbeat, including CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, and RHB Bank Bhd following slower-than-expected inflation data in the US which might provide some space for the Federal Reserve not to hike rates aggressively

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 10): Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Wednesday (Aug 10) in sync with regional bourses, as risk appetites were affected by the US inflation data amidst the ongoing corporate earnings season. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 5.35 points to 1,492.33 from Tuesday’s close of 1,497.68, weighed down by selling in selected index-linked counters, led by Hartalega Holdings Bhd. The benchmark index, which opened 1.96 points easier at 1,495.72, remained in negative territory throughout the day, moving in a tight range between 1,490.22 and 1,496.25. The broader market was negative as losers beat gainers 601 to 242, while 395 counters were unchanged, 1,047 untraded and eight others suspended. Total turnover decreased to 2.17 billion units worth RM1.68 billion from 2.52 billion units worth RM1.26 billion on Tuesday. Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd analyst Kenneth Leong said the key index turned lower on profit-taking in heavyweights, particularly Petron

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): Bursa Malaysia closed mixed on Tuesday (Aug 9) with the benchmark index ending in the positive territory backed by buying in heavyweights, in sync with the mixed performance in regional bourses. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 1.65 points to 1,497.68 from Monday’s close of 1,496.03. The benchmark index, which opened 2.49 points higher at 1,498.52 on Tuesday morning, fluctuated between 1,495 and 1,501.03 throughout the trading session. The broader market was negative as losers beat gainers 395 to 373, while 460 counters were unchanged, 1,039 untraded, and eight others suspended. Total turnover increased to 2.52 billion units worth RM1.26 billion from 2.19 billion units worth RM1.33 billion on Monday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said investors seemed reluctant to make more significant moves due to the absence of buying catalysts as the market undertone remained jittery amid heighten

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): Bursa Malaysia closed marginally lower on Monday (Aug 8) amid mixed regional peers as sentiment was mostly weighed by the negative cues from global markets. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 5.52 points to 1,496.03 from 1,501.55 on Friday, with almost two thirds of the 30 index-linked companies ending in negative territory. The benchmark index, which opened 0.03 of-a-point better at 1,501.58 on Monday morning, fluctuated between 1,490.41 and 1,501.58 throughout the trading session. On the broader market, losers beat gainers 464 to 323, while 410 counters were unchanged, 1,061 untraded, and eight others suspended. Total turnover reduced slightly to 2.19 billion units worth RM1.33 billion from 2.61 billion units worth RM1.62 billion on Friday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said key regional markets ended mixed following different reactions to the US economic data. He also said some inve

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 5): Bursa Malaysia bucked the regional trend to end lower on Friday (Aug 5) on persistent profit-taking in most heavyweights led by Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Public Bank Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd. Maybank lost one sen to RM8.89, Public Bank slid two sen to RM4.63 and Petronas Chemicals shed six sen to RM8.80. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 6.16 points to 1,501.55 from 1,507.71 on Thursday, managing to stay just a whisker above the psychological 1,500-point level. The benchmark index opened 2.64 points weaker at 1,505.07 and fluctuated between 1,497.77 and 1,505.53 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was mixed with 399 losers against 376 gainers, while 452 counters were unchanged, 1,020 untraded, and nine others suspended. Total turnover declined slightly to 2.61 billion units worth RM1.62 billion from 2.65 billion units worth RM1.89 billion on Thursday.  Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity rese

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 4): Bursa Malaysia rebounded after two consecutive days of losses to close at its intraday high on Thursday (Aug 4), with the key index advancing 1.15% on strong buying interest, mainly driven by technology, telecommunications and healthcare counters. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 17.14 points to reach its intraday high of 1,507.71 compared with Wednesday's close of 1,490.57. The benchmark index opened 1.09 points firmer at 1,491.66. On the broader market, gainers led decliners 611 to 276, with 392 counters unchanged, 956 untraded, and nine others suspended. Total turnover increased to 2.65 billion units worth RM1.89 billion from 1.91 billion units worth RM1.35 billion on Wednesday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said regionally, key indices ended mostly higher following positive cues from Wall Street overnight. At the same time, he said foreign funds have continued to flow into the regi

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): Bursa Malaysia closed lower for the second consecutive day on Wednesday (Aug 3) amid mixed performance in regional peers as investors remained in profit-taking mode, said a dealer. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 4.48 points to 1,490.57, its intraday high, compared with Tuesday's close of 1,495.05. The benchmark index opened 6.47 points weaker at 1,488.58 and hit a low of 1,483.01 during the mid-morning session. Market breadth was negative with 399 losers against 367 gainers, while 451 counters were unchanged, 1,018 untraded, and nine others suspended. Total turnover decreased to 1.91 billion units worth RM1.35 billion from 2.85 billion units worth RM1.59 billion on Tuesday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices ended higher as investors took opportunity to bargain hunt for stocks following heavy sell-down on Tuesday. “Back home, we believe the performance of loc