FBM KLCI ends lower on profit-taking

Source: The Star Online

KUALA LUMPUR: Shares on Bursa Malaysia ended the day lower after a gain in morning trade due to profit-taking activities.

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) closed 4.55 points, or 0.40% lower to 1,134.70 at 5pm while most markets in the region were in positive territory.

The Asian stocks rose, lifting the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to a nine-month high, after Australia’s treasurer said the global economy may have bottomed and Goldman Sachs Group Inc raised its Standard.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 2.73% to 9,652.02 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index unchanged at 19,501.73.

Shanghai’s A share index fell 1.64% to 3,213.21, Seoul’s Kospi Index advanced 0.71% to 1,488.99 while Singapore’s Straits Times Index was 0.7% lower at 2,454.33.

At Bursa Malaysia, 209 counters were up, 427 counters were down and 239 others were trade unchanged. There were 912.65 million shares changed hands with a total value of RM1.49 billion.

Among top gainers, PPB Group gained 40 sen to RM13.00, BAT surged 25 sen to RM45.25, KFC added 15 sen to RM7.15 and Panasonic Manufacturing Msia rose 10 sen to RM12.00.

Losers included DIGI plunged 30 sen to RM22.00, Top Glove fell 20 sen to RM7.05, DFZ Capital and MAS lost 12 sen to RM4.78 and RM3.04 respectively.

The most actively traded stocks included KNM down 1 sen to RM83 sen, Axiata fell 9 sen to RM2.87, Jaks Resources lost 1.5 sen to RM92 sen, IOI Corp up 4 sen to RM4.84, AMDB shed 3.5 sen to 16.5 sen, Kinsteel was 3 sen lower at 94.5 sen, Astro down 14 sen to RM3.28 and UEM Land remained unchaged at RM1.65.

Among bank stocks, Maybank rose 20 sen to RM6.40, BCHB fell 15 sen to RM9.950, Public Bank down 20 sen to RM10.10 and Hong Leong Bank was 5 sen lower at RM5.85.

Plantation stocks, United Plantations lost 30 sen to RM12.10, KL Kepong gained 20 sen to RM12.30, United Malacca up 5 sen to RM7.90 and Sime was unchanged at RM7.55.

Crude palm oil shed RM15 to RM2,145 per tonne.

Nymex crude oil added 1 cent to US$63.99 per barrel.

The ringgit was quoted at 3.542 to the US dollar.