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KUALA LUMPUR – Bursa Malaysia was marginally lower at mid-morning on mild profit-taking following gains in the previous session, tracking mixed performances across regional and global markets.
Sentiment remained cautious ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, although easing oil prices provided some support to the broader market.
At 11am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was down 0.91 of a point to 1,682.59 from Tuesday’s close of 1,683.50, after opening 1.31 points lower at 1,682.19.
Market breadth was negative, with losers outpacing gainers 459 to 370. A total of 466 counters were unchanged, while 1,576 were untraded and 27 suspended.
Turnover stood at 1.35 billion shares worth RM874.99 million.
In a research note today, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd said markets were hoping for an extension of the US-China trade truce while monitoring developments in artificial intelligence, export controls and rare-earth supplies.
“Meanwhile, Iran indicated it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington eased military pressure, while Saudi Arabia reportedly restarted its East-West Pipeline, raising hopes of improving oil supply,” it added.
At the time of writing, benchmark Brent crude oil had eased 0.43 per cent to US$98.82 per barrel.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank rose 10 sen to RM10.22, while Public Bank and CIMB eased one sen each to RM4.83 and RM7.89 respectively. Tenaga Nasional added 20 sen to RM13.30, while IHH Healthcare increased eight sen to RM8.08.
Among the most actively traded counters, Zetrix AI and Capital A shed 1.5 sen each to 19 sen and 25.5 sen respectively. Jaks Resources fell one sen to 16 sen, Aimax was unchanged at one sen, while AirAsia declined 2.5 sen to 55 sen.
Among the top gainers, Malaysian Pacific Industries recovered 60 sen to RM43.80, Nestle gained 44 sen to RM89.60, KESM Industries rose 32 sen to RM4.33, Petronas Gas advanced 22 sen to RM17.05, and Pappajack grew 20 sen to RM1.10.
Among the top losers, BLD Plantations lost 30 sen to RM14.70, Hengyuan Refining fell 25 sen to RM4.05, United Plantations dropped 22 sen to RM33.32, while Petron and Hong Leong Industries shed 20 sen each to RM3.70 and RM16.86 respectively.
On the index board, the FBM Mid 70 Index fell 29.97 points to 17,814.44, the FBM Emas Index declined 11.63 points to 12,502.51, and the FBM Top 100 Index edged down 10.22 points to 12,297.65.
Meanwhile, the FBM Emas Shariah Index gained 29.96 points to 12,353.34, while the FBM ACE Index advanced 16.08 points to 5,385.19.
Sector-wise, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 0.60 of a point to 185.50, while the Energy Index fell 1.15 points to 843.50.
The Financial Services Index declined 124.79 points to 19,609.88, while the Plantation Index shed 24.64 points to 9,431.38. –BERNAMA
