KUALA LUMPUR (April 6): The FBM KLCI closed higher on Friday, while the few regional markets that were open for trade ended the day in negative territory, as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of key U.S. jobs data.
China shares ended up 0.2 percent in thin volume on Friday, moving around a key psychological level as investors awaited a slew of economic data next week which could signal possible policy changes, according to Reuters.
The FBM KLCI closed 5.43 points higher at 1,598.87.
Gainers led losers by 457 to 248, while 324 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.28 billion shares valued at RM1.14 billion.
At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.19% to 2,306.55, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.87% to 7,706.26, south Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.01% to 2,029.03 while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.81% to 9,688.45.
Affin Investment Bank Bhd vice president and head of retail research Dr Nazri Khan said the FBM KLCI was now ripe for a pullback towards a lower sideways range of 1580-1600 level.
“We reckon the equity optimism will take a mild negative turn following a surprised absence of USA stimulus and Spanish revived fiscal concerns with the bond yields climbing to their highest level in five month (Spanish 10-Year bond rose to 5.8%).
“This has stoked concerns regarding the European debt crisis, boosted safe-haven appeal of the USA dollar and weighed on local risk-taking sentiment,” he said.
DR Nazri said he also expects the bullish sentiment to take a pause after the Federal Reserve meeting minutes earlier this week indicated reduced prospects for more quantitative easing.
ON Bursa Malaysia, BAT was the top gainer and added 48 sen to RM55.46, Dutch Lady added 30 sen to RM35.80, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s and BLD Plantations rose 25 sen each to RM5.44 and RM9.40, Tradewinds up 18 sen to RM9.97, TDM 17 sen to RM4.95, SMPC and Naim Holdings 15 sen each to RM2.12 and RM2.05, Mulpha 14 sen to 60 sen and MAHB 13 sen to RM5.89.
Naim Indah Corp was the most actively traded counter with 149.52 million shares done. The stock rose 8.5 sen to 57 sen.
Other actives included Metronic, SuperComNet, Ariantec, CSL, Focus, Tiger Synergy, Green Ocean, Ingenuity Solutions and TMS.
Decliners included F&N, Batu Kawan, Shell, HUp Seng, Hong Leong Industries, Takaful, HDBS, Aeon and Tiong Nam Logistics.
China shares ended up 0.2 percent in thin volume on Friday, moving around a key psychological level as investors awaited a slew of economic data next week which could signal possible policy changes, according to Reuters.
The FBM KLCI closed 5.43 points higher at 1,598.87.
Gainers led losers by 457 to 248, while 324 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.28 billion shares valued at RM1.14 billion.
At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.19% to 2,306.55, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.87% to 7,706.26, south Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.01% to 2,029.03 while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.81% to 9,688.45.
Affin Investment Bank Bhd vice president and head of retail research Dr Nazri Khan said the FBM KLCI was now ripe for a pullback towards a lower sideways range of 1580-1600 level.
“We reckon the equity optimism will take a mild negative turn following a surprised absence of USA stimulus and Spanish revived fiscal concerns with the bond yields climbing to their highest level in five month (Spanish 10-Year bond rose to 5.8%).
“This has stoked concerns regarding the European debt crisis, boosted safe-haven appeal of the USA dollar and weighed on local risk-taking sentiment,” he said.
DR Nazri said he also expects the bullish sentiment to take a pause after the Federal Reserve meeting minutes earlier this week indicated reduced prospects for more quantitative easing.
ON Bursa Malaysia, BAT was the top gainer and added 48 sen to RM55.46, Dutch Lady added 30 sen to RM35.80, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s and BLD Plantations rose 25 sen each to RM5.44 and RM9.40, Tradewinds up 18 sen to RM9.97, TDM 17 sen to RM4.95, SMPC and Naim Holdings 15 sen each to RM2.12 and RM2.05, Mulpha 14 sen to 60 sen and MAHB 13 sen to RM5.89.
Naim Indah Corp was the most actively traded counter with 149.52 million shares done. The stock rose 8.5 sen to 57 sen.
Other actives included Metronic, SuperComNet, Ariantec, CSL, Focus, Tiger Synergy, Green Ocean, Ingenuity Solutions and TMS.
Decliners included F&N, Batu Kawan, Shell, HUp Seng, Hong Leong Industries, Takaful, HDBS, Aeon and Tiong Nam Logistics.
