KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia gave up earlier gains to end mixed today, amid a higher regional market showing, as property, construction, and healthcare counters attracted buying interests, while plantation, banking, and telecommunication stocks saw some profit-taking, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.70 points to close at 1,602.34 from yesterday’s close of 1,604.04. The benchmark index, which opened 0.86 of-a-point lower at 1,603.18, moved between 1,601.02 and 1,608.88 during the trading session. However, the broader market was mixed to higher, with gainers leading decliners by 565 to 438 while 502 counters remained unchanged, 961 untraded, and 14 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 2.83 billion units valued at RM2.08 billion versus 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.23 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index remained range-bound and it required a dec
European natural gas prices fell after Israeli strikes against Iran deliberately avoided key oil, nuclear, and civilian infrastructure , easing concerns about immediate supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict . Benchmark gas futures dropped by as much as 4.3% on Monday , following last week’s significant gains, while crude oil prices also slumped. The market had been bracing for a broader attack that could have threatened critical energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz , a vital route for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil . Despite fears of escalating tensions, Israel’s response was more limited than anticipated, containing the immediate risk of a disruption to global energy supplies . This, coupled with mild weather forecasts across northwest Europe for the coming weeks, helped push prices lower, signaling a reduced need for fuel for heating. Europe's gas inventories , now over 95% full , have remained a buffer against potential supply disruptions. However, th