FBM KLCI Opens Lower Amid Mixed Sentiment In Global Markets

By Harizah Hanim Mohamed

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The FBM KLCI opened lower today after gaining 0.54 per cent yesterday, mirroring the mixed sentiment observed in global stock markets.

At 9.05 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) erased 7.63 points to 1,652.72 from yesterday’s close of 1,660.35.

The benchmark index opened 6.78 points weaker at 1,653.57.

Across the broader market, losers led gainers 156 to 89, with 242 counters unchanged, 1,979 untraded and six suspended.

Turnover totalled 112.19 million units valued at RM73.83 million.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said Wall Street closed mixed as sentiment remained cautious ahead of the US consumer price index and producer price index to be released later today and tomorrow, respectively.

“The sentiment over a US economic recession has influenced the local bourse. So, we would see it impacting Bursa Malaysia’s performance, but I think this is just a knee-jerk reaction.

“Looking at foreign funds, we can see they are returning to the local market,” he told Bernama.

Thong added that the index is expected to hover within the 1,660-1,670 range today.

Regionally, Asian markets were seen to share the same mixed sentiment.

Singapore’s Straits Times edged up 0.41 per cent to 3,526.92, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 erased 0.80 per cent to 35,869.17, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat at 17,234.09, and South Korea’s Kospi was 0.17 per cent easier at 2,519.09.

For heavyweights, Maybank added two sen to RM10.66, while Public Bank erased three sen to RM4.78, CIMB lost six sen to RM8.43, Tenaga Nasional fell two sen to RM14.64 and IHH Healthcare was down three sen to RM6.83.

Among the active counters this morning, Globetronics added six sen to 60 sen, Talam Transform was flat at 2.5 sen, while Iconic Worldwide’s warrant and Jaks Resources were flat at three sen and 13.5 sen, respectively. 

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index shed 42.79 points to 12,257.05, the FBM Emas Shariah Index slipped 0.63 of-a-point to 12,007.58, and the FBMT 100 Index removed 44.25 points to 11,976.06. 

The FBM 70 Index was down 21.43 points to 17,057.90, while the FBM ACE Index slipped 4.21 points lower at 5,034.75.

By sector, the Financial Services Index dipped 172.95 points to 19,758.18, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 0.67 of-a-point to 172.66, the Energy Index lost 6.31 points to 853.30, and the Plantation Index erased 8.81 points to 7,220.01.

-- BERNAMA