MONEY MASTER

  KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): Bursa Malaysia closed 0.26% higher Thursday, boosted by improved market sentiment as buying support emerged primarily in banking and consumer product stocks. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.14 points to 1,587.36 from 1,583.22 at Wednesday’s close. The barometer index opened 1.95 points firmer at 1,585.17 and moved between 1,575.54 and 1,589.06 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive as gainers outpaced losers 530 to 370, while 445 counters were unchanged, 931 untraded, and 73 others suspended. Total turnover decreased to 2.86 billion units worth RM2.36 billion from 3.41 billion units worth RM2.16 billion on Wednesday. Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd chief economist Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said this marked the end of the first-quarter performance with the FBM KLCI increasing by 19.83 points from December 2021 or an increase of 1.3% quarter-on-quarter. “It seems that 1,600 points is the psychological level ...

  KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Bursa Malaysia ended mixed on Wednesday (March 30) with the key index almost flat on lack of market catalyst, although the broader market showed a positive tone. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 0.2 of-a-point to 1,583.22 from 1,583.42 at Tuesday’s close. The index opened 2.13 points higher at 1,585.55 and moved between 1,580.88 and 1,591.4 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was positive as gainers outpaced losers 521 to 430, while 419 counters were unchanged, 922 untraded, and 88 others suspended. Total turnover increased to 3.41 billion units worth RM2.16 billion from 2.63 billion units worth RM1.98 billion on Tuesday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said key regional markets ended mostly higher, tracking the upbeat performance on Wall Street overnight, as talks on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine appeared to make progress. Back home, the FBM KLCI moved in a tig...

  KUALA LUMPUR (March 29): Bursa Malaysia closed lower as profit taking persisted in most heavyweights led by Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Public Bank Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd. Maybank lost six sen to RM8.90, Public Bank slid four sen to RM4.63 and Petronas Chemicals shed 20 sen to RM9.58. At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 14.53 points or 0.91% to 1,583.42 from 1,597.95 at Monday’s close. The key index opened 0.02 of-a-point lower at 1,597.93 and fluctuated between 1,579.27 and 1,598.21 throughout the trading session. On the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 430 to 348, while 555 counters were unchanged, 967 untraded, and 35 others suspended. Total turnover increased to 2.63 billion units worth RM1.98 billion from 2.41 billion units worth RM1.89 billion on Monday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said local equities closed broadly lower as investors continued to take profit, particu...