KUALA LUMPUR (June 15): Bursa Malaysia snapped its gains on Tuesday (June 14) to open lower in early trade on Wednesday as investors remained cautious amid mixed trading activities on Wall Street and regional markets overnight, a dealer said.
At 9.10am, the FBM KLCI had fallen 7.88 points to 1,473.40 from Tuesday’s close at 1,481.28.
The benchmark index opened 0.40 point lower at 1,480.88.
On the broader market, losers outnumbered gainers 181 to 117, while 211 counters were unchanged, 1,770 untraded and nine others suspended.
Turnover stood at 184.58 million units worth RM69.5 million.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd, in a note, said sentiment on the local bourse may remain tepid ahead of the interest rate decision by the US Federal Reserve in the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
“While the market sentiment may remain cautious, investors may look out for bargain-hunting opportunities in real estate investment trusts, consumer and banking stocks,” it said.
Among the heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) eased one sen to RM8.67, Public Bank Bhd lost two sen to RM4.49, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd stayed flat at RM9.66 and IHH Healthcare Bhd inched down four sen to RM6.26, while CIMB Group Holdings Bhd rose two sen to RM5.01.
Of the actives, Sapura Energy Bhd increased half a sen to five sen, Unitrade Industries Bhd eased half a sen to 29.5 sen and LGMS Bhd added two sen to 80 sen, while Fintec Global Bhd stayed flat at one sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index was 40.84 points lower at 10,530.73, the FBM Emas Shariah Index slipped 47.22 points to 10,755.99, the FBM 70 advanced 8.70 points to 12,730.24, the FBM ACE trimmed 3.92 points to 4,935.66 and the FBMT 100 Index decreased 40.32 points to 10,247.57.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index dropped 34.11 points to 16,219.79, the Plantation Index shed 25.19 points to 7,525.12, and the Industrial Products and Services Index was 1.09 points easier at 189.35.-BERNAMA