MONEY MASTER

KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): Bursa Malaysia's main index ended the week on a negative note on Friday (March 31), after failing to sustain earlier session gains, as investors booked profit following the recent advance. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had lost 2.02 points to 1,422.59, from Thursday's close at 1,424.61. The main index, which opened 0.18 of a point higher at 1,424.79, oscillated between an intraday low of 1,421.36 and an intraday high of 1,429.48. Market breadth remained positive, as gainers beat decliners 439 to 407, while 427 counters were unchanged, 1,003 untraded, and 73 others suspended. Turnover narrowed to 3.27 billion units worth RM1.76 billion, versus Thursday's 3.31 billion units worth RM1.63 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the market ended easier despite key regional indices being mostly higher, taking their positive cue from Wall Stree...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Bursa Malaysia recovered losses to finish higher on Thursday (March 30), boosted mainly by Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem). Overall, mild bargain hunting can be seen across sectors except for healthcare, consumer, telecommunications and construction. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had gained 4.26 points to 1,424.61, from Wednesday's close at 1,420.35. The main index opened 2.54 points lower at 1,417.81, and moved between 1,415.10 and 1,425.37 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive, as gainers beat decliners at 479 to 381, while 395 counters were unchanged, 1,036 untraded, and 75 others suspended. Turnover, however, was lower at 3.31 billion units worth RM1.63 billion, versus Wednesday's 3.42 billion units worth RM1.74 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said he expects the short-term outlook of the local market to be positive, given the overall improvi...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): Improved risk sentiment and bargain hunting for heavyweights led by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) saw Bursa Malaysia’s main index gaining 0.9% at the close on Tuesday (March 28). At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had advanced 12.49 points, or 0.89%, to 1,409.09, compared with Monday's close at 1,396.60. The market bellwether, which opened five points higher at 1,401.60, moved between 1,398.42 and 1,409.23 throughout the day. Market breadth remained mixed, with decliners leading gainers by 416 to 410, while 430 counters were unchanged, 1,040 untraded, and 24 others suspended. Turnover shrank to 2.83 billion units worth RM1.51 billion, from Monday's 3.37 billion units valued at RM1.72 billion.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): Improved risk sentiment and bargain hunting for heavyweights led by Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) saw Bursa Malaysia’s main index gaining 0.9% at the close on Tuesday (March 28). At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had advanced 12.49 points, or 0.89%, to 1,409.09, compared with Monday's close at 1,396.60. The market bellwether, which opened five points higher at 1,401.60, moved between 1,398.42 and 1,409.23 throughout the day.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): Bursa Malaysia struggled to stay above the 1,400-point level on Monday (March 27) amid global banking sector woes. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had lost 3.10 points, or 0.22%, to end at its intraday low of 1,396.60, compared with last Friday's close at 1,399.70. The market bellwether opened 1.25 points higher at 1,400.95, and hit its intraday high of 1,404.65 in the early morning session.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 24): Bursa Malaysia ended the week lower in line with regional markets on Friday (March 24), as investors remained wary that the global banking crisis could worsen, despite the assurance from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to keep deposits safe at banks, said an analyst. The weaker sentiment on the local bourse prompted the key index to fall 0.80% to below the 1,400-point level. At 5pm on Friday, the benchmark FBM KLCI had fallen 11.28 points to 1,399.70, which was the day’s low, from Thursday's close at 1,410.98.    The market bellwether opened 0.15 of a point higher at 1,411.13, and hit an intraday high of 1,411.67 in the early session.  On the broader market, decliners led gainers 496 to 339, while 440 counters were unchanged, 998 untraded, and 11 others suspended. Turnover fell to 2.99 billion units worth RM1.91 billion, from Thursday's 3.26 billion units wort...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 23): Bursa Malaysia pared most of its earlier losses to close marginally lower by 0.08% on Thursday (March 23), weighed by financial services stocks amid weak market sentiment. Banking counters Public Bank Bhd declined five sen to RM3.95 a share, and Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) shed six sen to RM8.49. Both counters contributed 2.81 points to the key index's fall at the close on Thursday. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had fallen 1.06 points to 1,410.98, which was the day’s high, from Wednesday's close at 1,412.04. The market bellwether opened 5.07 points easier at 1,406.97, and hit an intraday low of 1,403.55. On the broader market, decliners leading gainers 434 to 468, while 407 counters were unchanged, 964 untraded and seven others suspended. Turnover rose to 3.26 billion units worth RM2.03 billion, from Wednesday's 3.12 billion units worth RM1.89 billion.  

KUALA LUMPUR (March 22): Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Wednesday (March 22), in line with regional markets amid improving market sentiment globally, and ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision on interest rates later in the day. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had risen 5.49 points, or 0.39%, to 1,412.04, from Tuesday’s close at 1,406.55. The market bellwether opened 2.05 points higher at 1,408.60, and moved between 1,406.51 and 1,413.52 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive, with gainers leading decliners 497 to 377, while 408 counters were unchanged, 991 untraded, and seven others suspended. Turnover eased to 3.12 billion units worth RM1.89 billion, from Tuesday’s 3.23 billion units worth RM1.85 billion.  Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng expects the local bourse to remain cautious due to uncertainties globally, especially the ou...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): Bursa Malaysia ended marginally higher on Tuesday (March 21) on bargain hunting in selective heavyweights and in line with most regional markets. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.74 points, or 0.34%, to 1,406.55 from Monday’s close of 1,401.81.     The market bellwether opened 5.35 points higher at 1,407.16 and moved between 1,403.96 and 1,412.81 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive with gainers leading decliners 483 to 367, while 394 counters were unchanged, 1,010 untraded and seven others suspended. Turnover eased to 3.23 billion units worth RM1.85 billion against Monday’s 3.47 billion units worth RM1.93 billion. “Despite the improvement in global market sentiment, we prefer to stay cautious as we reckon market volatility would stay high in the near term although the benchmark index remained in oversold position,” Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng ...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 20): Bursa Malaysia ended trading lower on Monday (March 20) in tandem with the heavy selldown in regional bourses as investors were wary following the sudden burst of turmoil in the global banking sector, said an analyst. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slipped 9.92 points, or 0.7%, to 1,401.81 from last Friday’s close of 1,411.73. The market bellwether opened 3.55 points easier at 1,408.18 and moved between 1,400.49 and 1,408.52 throughout the day.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 17): Bursa Malaysia rebounded and ended sharply higher on Friday (March 17), in tandem with the recovery across regional markets as worries over a global banking crisis receded, said an analyst. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) jumped 20.13 points, or 1.45%, to 1,411.73 from Thursday's close of 1,391.6. The market bellwether opened 5.68 points better at 1,397.28 and moved between 1,397.23 and 1,416.92 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive with gainers thumping decliners 711 to 244 while 349 counters were unchanged, 961 untraded and 27 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 4.43 billion units worth RM4.09 billion. Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong said the FBM KLCI staged a strong rally on Friday, taking the cue from a rebound on Wall Street after major US banks pledged to inject US$30 billion (RM135 billion) in liquidity to rescue First Republic Bank. "Meanwhile, RAM Ratings reassur...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): Bursa Malaysia retreated from Wednesday's gains to end lower on Thursday (March 16), in tandem with the weaker regional market performance, following a large-scale selldown of global equities overnight, said an analyst.  At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had fallen 12.33 points, or 0.88%, to 1,391.60, from Wednesday's close at 1,403.93. The key index opened 3.11 points lower at 1,400.82, and moved between 1,391.04 and 1,403.93 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with decliners thumping gainers 719 to 238, while 341 counters were unchanged, 969 untraded, and 21 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 3.52 billion units worth RM2.22 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said Wall Street fell overnight, as Credit Suisse Group AG shares sank, reigniting worries about a possible global banking crisis.  Investors were also uncertain about the US Federal Reserve's action with ...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 15): Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Wednesday (March 15), snapping a five-day losing streak, as bargain-hunting activities emerged following the recent selldown, an analyst said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 10.1 points or 0.72% to 1,403.93 from Tuesday's close of 1,393.83. The key index opened 6.27 points better at 1,400.1, and moved between 1,399.8 and 1,406.57 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive with gainers thumping losers 604 to 289 while 383 counters were unchanged, 972 untraded and 10 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 3.13 billion units worth RM2.34 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd’s vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices also closed higher following the positive cues from global markets overnight. He said investors speculated that the worst of the global fallout from the US banking crisis has passed as President Joe Biden pledged full deposit insurance ...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Bursa Malaysia ended lower for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday (March 14) following mixed cues on Wall Street overnight as investors dealt with the fallout from failed banks in the US, including Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), said an analyst. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 28 points or 1.97% to 1,393.83 — an intraday low and a near five-month low. The key index opened 4.87 points easier at 1,416.96 — its intraday high — and continued to slide throughout the day. Market breadth was negative with losers outpacing gainers 878 to 180 while 296 counters were unchanged, 893 untraded and 11 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 3.38 billion units worth RM2.50 billion. UOB Kay Hian Securities (M) Sdn Bhd head of wealth research and advisory Mohd Sedek Jantan said the local bourse went through a volatile trading session, with the financial services index dropping 2.17% mainly due to a reaction from the SVB fallout. ...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): Bursa Malaysia closed lower amid mixed sentiment in regional bourses following a heavy global selldown, a dealer said. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 11.25 points or 0.79% to 1,421.83 from last Friday's close of 1,433.08. The key index opened 13.66 points lower at 1,419.42 and moved between 1,409.93 and 1,423.66 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was negative with losers outpacing gainers 702 to 254 while 340 counters were unchanged, 939 untraded and 23 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 3.50 billion units worth RM2.15 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the key regional markets were mixed as investors were concerned that the potential fallout from the implosions of Silicon Valley Bank and Silvergate Capital could trigger a wider sell-off in the global financial sector.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 10): Bursa Malaysia ended at its intraday low on Friday (March 10), in tandem with the heavy selldown on most regional and global bourses. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had slipped by 16.45 points or 1.13% to 1,433.08, from Thursday's closing at 1,449.53. The key index opened 3.73 points lower at 1,445.80, which was its intraday high, and continued to slide throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with losers outpacing gainers 694 to 239, while 368 counters were unchanged, 944 untraded, and 33 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 2.73 billion units worth RM2.11 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices ended sharply lower, tracking similar declines on Wall Street, amid persistent worries about the risk of a global recession. “US banking shares plunged after crypto banking giant Silvergate plans to shu...

  KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): Bursa Malaysia closed on a softer note despite Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to retain the overnight policy rate (OPR) on Thursday (March 9), as investors remained wary of interest rate hikes in the US and risk of a recession on the global scale. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had slipped 5.13 points to 1,449.53, from Wednesday's closing at 1,454.66. The key index opened 0.16 of a point higher at 1,454.82, and moved between 1,448.45 and 1,455.12 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with losers leading gainers 451 to 402, while 406 counters were unchanged, 984 untraded, and 11 others suspended. Turnover amounted to 2.66 billion units worth RM1.94 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the KLCI continued to trend lower after a lacklustre trading session with key regional markets...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Tuesday (March 7) to end higher after the key index recorded two straight days of meagre losses as bargain-hunting activities emerged, amid the upbeat performance in most regional peers.   At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.99 points or 0.41% to 1,458.67 from Monday’s closing of 1,452.68. The market bellwether opened 1.29 points better at 1,453.97 and moved between 1,452.64 and 1,461.42 throughout the trading session. However, on the broader market, decliners beat gainers 454 to 409, while 408 counters were unchanged, 959 untraded and 11 others suspended. Turnover rose to 2.97 billion units worth RM1.89 billion from Monday's close of 2.84 billion units worth RM1.79 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices were mostly in positive territory as investors took positions ahead of the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Pow...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Tuesday (March 7) to end higher after the key index recorded two straight days of meagre losses as bargain-hunting activities emerged, amid the upbeat performance in most regional peers.   At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.99 points or 0.41% to 1,458.67 from Monday’s closing of 1,452.68. The market bellwether opened 1.29 points better at 1,453.97 and moved between 1,452.64 and 1,461.42 throughout the trading session. However, on the broader market, decliners beat gainers 454 to 409, while 408 counters were unchanged, 959 untraded and 11 others suspended. Turnover rose to 2.97 billion units worth RM1.89 billion from Monday's close of 2.84 billion units worth RM1.79 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices were mostly in positive territory as investors took positions ahead of the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Pow...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): Bursa Malaysia bucked the regional trend to end slightly lower on Monday (March 6), dragged down by last-minute selling of selected heavyweight stocks. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had eased 0.87 of a point to 1,452.68, from last Friday’s closing at 1,453.55. The key index opened 5.22 points better at 1,458.77, and moved between 1,452.12 to 1,460.98 during the day. However, market breadth was positive, with advancers outpacing decliners 465 to 380, while 415 counters were unchanged, 959 untraded, and 11 others suspended. Turnover rose to 2.84 billion units worth RM1.79 billion, from last Friday's close at 2.69 billion units worth RM1.89 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the KLCI closed flattish after a bumpy trading day as investors were cautious ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia's Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. Thus, ...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 3): Bursa Malaysia ended mixed on Friday (March 3) as the market is stuck in a consolidation mode with investor sentiment remaining cautious on lack of buying catalysts domestically, amid concerns over a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dipped 1.94 points to 1,453.55 from Thursday’s closing of 1,455.49. The index opened 2.29 points higher at 1,457.78 and hovered in a tight range of 1,452.62 to 1,457.78. Market breadth was positive with advancers outpacing decliners 520 to 338, while 429 counters were unchanged, 937 untraded, and 12 others suspended. Turnover rose to 2.69 billion units worth RM1.89 billion from Thursday's 2.50 billion units worth RM1.77 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the upbeat key regional indices were sparked by another bullish survey showing a sharp recovery in China services, but this provided little boost to loc...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 2): Bursa Malaysia’s main index ended in positive territory on Thursday (March 2), after being in the red for six consecutive days, thanks to a boost from bargain-hunting activities. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had climbed 5.29 points to 1,455.49, bolstered mainly by IHH Healthcare Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB). The index opened 1.14 points higher at 1,451.34, compared with Wednesday’s closing at 1,450.20.  However, market breadth remained negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 506 to 365, while 415 counters were unchanged, 927 untraded and 23 others suspended. Turnover dipped to 2.50 billion units worth RM1.77 billion, from Wednesday's 3.21 billion units worth RM2.04 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the KLCI managed to rebound due to bargain-hunting activities, despite key regional markets ...

KUALA LUMPUR (March 1): Bursa Malaysia slipped again on Wednesday (March 1) as buying interest remained tepid, with the cautious mood persisting, despite improved sentiment across the region. At 5pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI had retreated 3.99 points to 1,450.20, from Tuesday’s closing at 1,454.19.  The index opened 0.19 point higher at 1,454.38. Market breadth was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 528 to 436, while 358 counters were unchanged, 881 untraded, and 20 others suspended. Turnover dipped to 3.21 billion units worth RM2.04 billion, from Tuesday's 4.63 billion units worth RM3.95 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said positive Chinese factory activity data failed to boost the overall market performance, as domestic sentiment remained cautious. Meanwhile, regional bourses ended mostly higher, particularly in China and Hong Kon...