Weaker regional sentiment weighs KLCI down

KUALA LUMPUR (May 11): The weaker investor sentiment at regional markets weighed on the FBM KLCI and led the benchmark index lower at the mid-day break on Friday.

Asian shares slid on Friday, spawning declines in other risk assets, as deepening political turmoil in the eurozone fuelled concerns about global growth and a huge loss from JPMorgan added to jittery sentiment, according to Reuters.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI fell 1.14 points to 1,586.92.

Losers led gainers by 362 to 176, while 330 counters trade unchanged. Volume was 475.81 million shares valued at RM374.95 million.

The ringgit weakened 0.15% to 3.0725 versus the greenback, crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM41 per tonne to RM3,299, crude oil lost US$1.27 (RM3.90) per barrel to US$95.81 and gold fell US$9.25 an ounce to US$1,584.77.

At the regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.48% to 8,966.10, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 1.18% to 19,989.50, the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.25% to 2,404.31, Taiwan's Taiex fell 1.23% to 7,391.94, south Korea's Kospi lost 1.37% to 1,918.33 and Singapore's Straits Times Index was down 0.72% to 2,882.77.

On Bursa Malaysia, PPB was the top loser in the morning session and fell 34 sen to RM16.14, BAT lost 30 sen to RM53.70, United PLANTATION []s down 24 sen to RM26.26, GAB 22 sen to RM13.40, Southern Acids 19 sen to RM2.26, Tasek 17 sen to RM9.19, while Milux, Shell and Far East lost 10 sen each to RM1.18, RM9.90 and RM7.55 respectively.

Harvest Court was the most actively traded counter, with 37.29 million shares done. The stock fell 4.5 sen to 58 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, Focus, Ariantec, Permaju, LFE Corp, Naim Indah Corp, CSL, Winsun and Metronic.

Gainers included SAM Engineering, Aeon Credit, Aeon, Tahps, Binutulu Port, BLD Plantations, Malpac and Fiamma.



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Limited gains for KLCI

KUALA LUMPUR (May 10): The FBM KLCI reversed its earlier losses and closed higher on Thursday, but the gains were limited in line with the mixed regional markets still weighed by concerns the global economic outlook.

The FBM KLCI rsoe 3.16 points to close at 1,588.06. It had earlier risen to its intra-day high of 1,590.20.

Gainers edged losers by 376 to 358, while 325 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.4 billion shares valued at RM1.39 billion.

Asian shares were mixed, as weak Chinese trade data stoked fears of a growth slowdown, further undermining risk appetites already reduced by worries about the health of Spanish banks and deepening political chaos in Greece, according to Reuters.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.51% to 20,227.28, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.39% to 9,009.65, South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.27% to 1,944.93

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.07% to 2,410.23 and Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.11% to 7,484.01, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.09% to 2,903.60.

On Bursa Malaysia, United PLANTATION []s was the top gainer and added 56 sen to RM26.50, Petronas Gas up 30 sen to RM17.28, Ajinomoto 27 sen to RM4.50, Southern Acids and Aeon Credit gained 24 sen each to RM2.45 and RM11.10, Tradewinds Plantations 12 sen to RM5.89, Hup Seng and AirAsia 11 sen each to RM2.36 and RM3.65, while KrisAssets added 10 sen to RM7.10.

Focus was the most actively traded counter with 146.46 million shares done. The stock gained 1.5 sen to 16 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, Ariantec, Permaju, Naim indah Corp, ManagePay, Astral Supreme and HWGB.

Decliners included BAT, The Store, Panasonic, Tahps, KLK, Aeon, Lafarge Malayan Cement, Dutch Lady, PPB and KESM.



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KLCI advances as Asian markets fall

KUALA LUMPUR (May 4) : Malaysian stocks rose on Friday morning as Asian peers declined following a weaker overnight performance by US equities.

Global markets have taken the cue from weaker updates on the US’ services industry and private sector hiring, deemed crucial indicators of the health of the world’s largest economy and major importer of goods from emerging Asian countries.

In Malaysia, analysts have cautioned investors that gains in the 30-stock FBM KLCI could be curbed by domestic pre-election sentiment and global factors. As such, it will be interesting to see if the benchmark can sustain its gains.

“A strong rally above 1,600 would give the bulls the momentum to test the historical high at 1,609,” Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd wrote in a note.

At 9.59am, the FBM KLCI added 5.28 points to 1,588.45. Across the exchange, some 318 million shares worth RM188 million were traded, leading to 261 gainers versus 155 decliners.

Top gainers BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (M) [] Bhd added RM1.76 to RM57 while NESTLE (M) BHD [] was up 30 sen to RM55.80.

Among decliners, SOUTHERN ACIDS (M) BHD [] fell 21 sen to RM2.21 while GRAND HOOVER BHD [] was down 10.5 sen to 20 sen

Among actively-traded stocks, ASTRAL SUPREME BHD [] fell one sen to 31.5 sen with some 15 million shares done.

Across Asia, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added 0.5% to 4,406.9 points while South Korea’s Kospi fell by a similar quantum to 1,985.23. Singapore’s Straits Times was down 0.3% to 2,992.02. The Japan bourse is closed for a public holiday.



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KLCI edges up mid-day, lifted by select blue chips

KUALA LUMPUR (March 29): The FBM KLCI edged up at the mid-day break on Thursday, lifted by select blue chips including CIMB, Genting-linked counters, Petronas Chemicals and BAT.

At 12.30pm, the KLCI was up 0.41% to 1,584.16. Gainers trailed losers by 197 to 388, while 318 counters were traded unchanged. Volume was 819.28 million shares valued at RM554.24 million.

Asian shares fell for a second successive day on Thursday as concerns about growth prospects in the world's two largest economies, the United States and China, prompted investors to trim their risk exposure ahead of the end of the quarter, according to Reuters.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 1.2% to 20,634.30, Taiwan’s Taiex fell 2.67% to 7,823.78, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.06% to 2,010.26, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.82% to 10,099.30, the Shanghai Composite Index 0.58% to 2,271.60 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index 0.28% to 3,007.44.

Among the gainers on Bursa Malaysia, Dutch Lady was the top gainer, up RM2.62 to RM37.50.

BAT added 18 sen to RM56.52, Aeon 14 sen to RM9.35, Toyo Ink 14 sen to RM9.35, MISC 12 sen to RM5.32 and Shell 10 sen to RM10.20. Southern Acids, Kulim, Ta Ann and Crescesndo added nine sen each to RM2.39, RM4.30, RM6.18 and RM1.90 respectively.

CIMB rose seven sen to RM7.57, while Petronas Chemicals, Genting and Genting PLANTATION []s added two sen each to RM6.70, RM11.12 and RM3.89 respectively.

Naim Indah Corp was the most actively traded counter with 56.7 million shares done. The stock added half a sen to 48.5 sen.

Other actives included Ariantec, Focus, SuperComnet, Metronic, Key West and Iris Corp.

Among the decliners were Shangri-la, BLD Plantations, GAB, Sungei Bagan, RHB Capital, SMPC, PPB, SBC Corp and Kris Assets.



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KLCI closes lower as Asian markets dip

KUALA LUMPUR (March 28): The FBM KLCI closed lower on Wednesday as Asian markets slipped into the red, led by the Shanghai Composite Index that fell more than 2.5%.

The FBM KLCI fell 4.35 points to close at 1,583.75. Market breadth was negative with losers beating gainers by 491 to 244, while 350 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.56 billion shares valued at RM1.31 billion.

Asian markets were mostly in the red, as Hong Kong and China shares ended lower on Wednesday, as weak corporate earnings reports increased worries over the domestic economy, according to Reuters.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 2.65% to 2,284.88, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.77% to 20,885.42, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 0.71% to 10,182.57, South Korea’s Kopsi fell 0.39% to 2,031.74 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index shed 0.10% to 3,015.98.

On Bursa Malaysia, Southern Acids was the top loser and fell 20 sen to RM2.30, Hartalega fell 15 sen to RM7.95, Petronas Gas 14 sen to RM16.76 and MPI, 13 sen to RM3.12.

Fima Corp, Y&G, Toyo Ink and Coastal Contracts lost 12 sen each to RM6.11, 58 sen, RM1.46 and RM1.98 respectively.

Shares of Supercomnet extended their losses in active trade for the second day on Wednesday after the proposed disposal of an 18.66% stake by several major shareholders fell through. Supercomnet fell 15 sen to 21 sen with 110.9 million shares traded.

Other actives included Metronic, Utopia, Ariatec, IFCA MSC, Silver Bird, Ingenuity Solutions and Naim Indah Corp.

Gainers included Dutch Lady, BAT, Bintulu Port, Takaful, BLD PLANTATION []s, MAHB, Sungai Bagan, Manulife and SMPC.



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KLCI closes marginally higher, stays above 1,580-level

KUALA LUMPUR (March 22): the FBM KLCI closed marginally higher on Thursday in line with the mostly mixed regional markets.

However, European stocks slipped on Thursday, keeping the benchmark world equity index below recent eight-month highs, while the dollar was weaker against the yen as data showing China's factory activity shrank renewed concerns about global growth, according to Reuters.

The HSBC flash PMI, the earliest indicator of China's industrial activity, fell to 48.1 in March from February's four-month high of 49.6, with new orders sinking to a four-month low, it said.

It raises the prospect for a further monetary policy easing to help underpin growth, although lingering inflation risks put Beijing's policymakers in a dilemma, it said.

The 30-stock FBM KLCI closed 0.71 of a point higher at 1,583.24, lifted by select blue chips including KLK and Tenaga. Losers overtook gainers by 379 to 363 whie 360 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.86 billion shares valued at RM1.5 billion.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai composite Index shed 0.10% to 2,375.77, Singapore’s Straits Times Indexwas down 0.74% to 2,983.48 and South Korea’s Kospi was down 0.05% to 2,026.12.

Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 0.22% to 20,901.56, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.40% to 10,127.08 and Taiwan’s Taiex rose 0.98% to 8,059.94.

KLK was the top gainer and added 40 sen to RM23.82, Takaful rose 23 sen to RM2.65, Cybertowers and Jaya Tiasa up 19 sen each to 54 en and RM7.69, MHC PLANTATION []s up 17 sen to RM1.77, Southern Acids 15 sen to RM2.50, Sunchirin and Tenaga 13 sen each to RM1.55 and RM6.71, while Litrak gained 11 sen to RM4.10.

Metronic was the most actively traded counter with 347.7 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 25.5 sen.

Other actives included Utopia, Ingenuity Solutions, Ariantec, Flonic, DBE Gurney, Hubline and Naim Indah Corp.

Decliners included Lafarge Malayan Cement, PPB, United Plantations, Nestle, Hightec, Kulim, RHB Capital and IOI Corp.



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KLCI slips into negative territory at mid-day, lags Asian markets

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 19): The FBM KLCI fell at the mid-day break on Thursday, lagging behind key Asian markets as some mild profit taking on the penultimate trading day before the extended weekend for the Chinese New Year holidays chipped off earlier gains.

The FBM KLCI slipped 1.60 points to 1,515.78 at 12.30pm.

Losers overtook gainers by 324 to 296, while 308 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.09 billion shares valued at RM675.52 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.52% to 3.1027 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery fell RM26 per tonne to RM3,154, crude oil added 86 cents a barrel to US$101.45 while gold gained US$3.50 an ounce to US$1,663.45.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 1.1% to 8,645.04, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index gained 1.11% to 19,906.30, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.90% to 2,286.89, South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.14% to 1,914.03, Singapore’s Straits Times Index was up 0.54% to 2,810.52 and Taiwan’s Taiex edged up 0.17% to 7,233.69.

On Bursa Malaysia, the decliners at mid-day included Sunchirin that fell 20 sen to RM1.50, Batu Kawan down 18 sen to RM18.68, Triplc 17.5 sen to 42 sen, Genting down 16 sen to RM10.84, Southern Acids 14 sen to RM2.18, Warisan 11 sen to RM2.49, Tasek 10 sen to RM7.90, Bursa down nine sen to RM6.86 while Hong Leong Industries and Amway fell eight sen each to RM4 and RM9.40.

Among the gainers, Nestle was up 30 sen to RM56.30, Aturmaju 16 sen to 74 sen, Parkson 14 sen to RM5.74, BAT 12 sen to RM49.92, while Knusford, Petronas Gas, Ekovest and Sarawak Oil Palm added 10 sen each to RM1.70, RM15.38, RM2.60 and RM6.05 respectively.

D.B.E Gurney, which was the most actively traded counter this morning, was issued with an unusual market activity query by Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

The stock was unchanged at 11 sen with 166.2 million shares done.

Other actives included TMS, JCY, MBSB, BIMB, Nextnation and Ingenuity Solutions.



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KLCI falls; focus on Proton & DRB-Hicom’s announcements later today

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): The FBM KLCI extended its losses on Monday, in line with the fall at key regional markets after Standard & Poor’s cut nine of the euro zone's 17 countries, including top-notch France and Austria, and said it would decide shortly whether to downgrade the euro zone's bailout fund.

Amidst the retreating equity, all eyes would remain trained on developments around national carmaker PROTON HOLDINGS BHD [] and conglomerate DRB-HICOM BHD [] after they requested for a trading halt in their securities pending a material announcement.

The Edge Financial Daily, citing industry sources on Monday, had reported that DRB-Hicom was understood to have secured Khazanah's 42.7% stake in Proton, with only a few minor issues left to seal the deal.

At 10.20am, the FBM KLCI fell 9.99 points to 1,513.08.

Losers beat gainers by 346 to 120, while 205 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 400.11 million shares valued at RM202.11 million.

Asian shares fell on Monday on heightening worries that the mass sovereign debt rating cuts by Standard & Poor's would further aggravate euro zone funding difficulties and recapitalisation, threatening to derail progress in resolving the debt crisis, according to Reuters.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 1.49% to 8,373,04, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.04% to 19,004.10, South Korea’s Kospi was down 1.50% to 1,847.63, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 1.065 to 7,105.39, Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 1.05% to 2,762.35 and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.79% to 2,226.92.

Maybank Investment Bank Bhd head of retail research and chief chartist Lee Cheng Hooi said the local market remained quiet in range-bound trading last week, adding that high volumes of between 1.51 billion to 1.91 billion shares were registered.

“Some position-squaring ahead of the weekend and the impending Chinese New Year holidays later this week caused a mild downward drift in the local bourse,” he said.

Among the major losers, Dutch Lady fell 54 sen to RM25.24, F&N 28 sen to RM18.62, Petronas Gas 18 sen to RM15.24, Genting and Bursa 14 sen each to RM10.74 and RM6.84, BHIC 13 sen to RM3.54, Top Glove, United PLANTATION []s and Tenaga down 10 sen each to RM5.11, RM19.90 and RM6.13, while Southern Acids lost eight sen to RM2.32.

Compugates was the most actively traded counter with 84.1 million shares done. The stock added one sen to 8 sen.

Other actives included Asia Media, Digistar, Hiap Teck, RedTone, Dutaland and Hovid.

Meanwhile, gainers included Malayan Flour Mills, Supermax, Aeon, Tasek, Can-One, Eng Kah, Kretam, Kian Joo and Asia Media.



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KLCI rises for third day, but gains limited

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): The FBM KLCI rose for the third day on Thursday and closed above the 1,500-point level, as the slight recovery at most regional markets and bargain hunting activities lifted the local bourse.

The FBM KLCI closed 2.58 points higher at 1,506.69.

Gainers led losers by 492 to 254, while 335 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.59 billion shares valued at RM1.16 billion.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.16% to 2,173.56, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.26% to 7,074.82, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.03% to 1,825.74 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index edged up 0.24% to 2,672.78.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.65% to 18,397.92 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 shed 0.29% to 8.398.89.

Meanwhile, European shares rose on Thursday in low volume, recovering from the previous session falls, on hope there would be demand at an Italian auction of long-term sovereign debt after the European Central Bank's three-year funding operation last week, according to Reuters.

On Bursa Malaysia, BAT rose 40 sen to RM49.60, RCI added 33 sen to RM1.80, Cocoaland gained 18 sen to RM2.18, RHB Capital and Sarawak Oil Palms added 17 sen each to RM7.30 and RM5.59, Panasonic gained 16 sen to RM20.02, JT International and Faber rose 15 sen each to RM7.15 and RM1.62, while Batu Kawan gained 14 sen to RM17.44.

Among the decliners, Nestle fell 70 sen to RM56, Box-Pak lost 24 sen to RM2.23, Chin Teck down 20 sen to RM8.79, Southern Acids and Tasek fell 15 sen each to RM2.15 and RM7.80, HLFG lost 12 sen to RM11.56, Perduren fell 10.5 sen 74.5 sen, while UMW and Supermax lost 10 sen each to RM6.85 and RM3.79.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 197.45 million shares done. The stock fell one sen to 6.5 sen.

Other actively traded stocks included Sanichi, Mulpha, JCY, KNM, Flonic and LFE Corp.



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Asian markets stay edgy on renewed eurozone debt woes

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): External woes, in particular the renewed concerns over the eurozone debt crisis, weighed heavily on global equity markets as nervous investors took profit on the penultimate trading day of 2011.

The FBM KLCI fell 5.18 points to 1,498.93 at 10.01am, dragged by losses at key blue chips.

Losers edged gainers by 165 to 158, while 207 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 277.08 million shares valued at RM131.89 million.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.91% to 8,346.68, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index lost 1.04% to 18,326.90, the Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.13% to 2,167.22, Taiwan’s Taiex fell 0.45% to 7,024.71, South Korea’s Kospi lost 0.72% to 1,812.05 and the Singapore Straits Times Index shed 0.27% to 2,659.02.

BIMB Securities Research in a note Dec 29 said investors may yet end 2011 on a jittery note with Eurozone’s problems still very much the starring role, adding that all eyes would be on Italy’s bond auction tomorrow to gauge the sentiments on the financially strapped country though sale of shorter term notes had been rather successful.

As a result, performances of major European bourses sank yesterday, it said.

Over on Wall Street, the situation was not much different with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by almost 140 points to 12,151 amid a low trading volume coupled with some realignment of portfolios, it said.

It was also a mixed day for Asian markets from the weak opening over in Europe, it said.

BIMB Research said that domestically, the FBM KLCI remained resilient posting a 3 point gain and stayed above the 1,500 level.

“We would expect the 1,500 to be under pressure today following the weak overseas markets.

“Meanwhile, we noticed that news-flow within the oil & gas sector has been quite apparent over the past weeks and could be a precursor for more to come,” it said.

On Bursa Malaysia, Nestle and KLK fell 20 sen each to RM56.50 and RM22.38, Southern Acids 15 sen to RM2.15, UMW 13 sen to RM6.82, IOI Corp seven sen to RM5.22, Public Bank, Dutch Lady, Genting and AMMB fell six sen each to RM13.06, RM23.16, RM10.90 and RM5.92, whiel Tanjung Offshore shed 4.5 sen to 74 sen.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 28 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 7.5 sen.

Other actives included Sanichi, KNM, JCY, TMS, Flonic and Sumatec.

Gainers included Atis, Boxpak, Integra, DKSH, EKIB, Faber, Maybulk and Perak Corp.



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KLCI closes higher but struggles to breach 1,470-level

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): The FBM KLCI could not sustain much of its gains on Friday and struggled to breach the 1,470-point level on some mild profit taking ahead of the weekend.

The FBM KLCI edged up 2.11 points to close at 1,466.22. The index had earlier risen to its intra-day high of

Gainers led losers by 426 to 345, while 313 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.79 billion shares valued at RM1.33 billion.

World stocks rose on Friday after upbeat U.S. data and corporate results, while concerns over the European banking sector and nervousness about potential ratings downgrades in European sovereign debt underpinned German government bonds, according to Reuters.

Surprising resilience in the U.S. economy and corporate sector are underpinning investor appetite for risky assets into the year end, although trading is thinning out ahead of a holiday season, it said.

At the regional markets, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 2.02% to 2,224.84, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index added 1.43% to 18,285.39, South Korea’s Kospi up 1.15% to 1,839.96, Taiwan’s Taiex gained 0.30% to 6,785.09, Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.29% to 8,401.72 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index gained 0.91% to 2,659.22.

On Bursa Malaysia, PPB added 36 sen to RM16.76, KrisAssets was up 26 sen to RM5.88, Public Bank 22 sen to RM13.02, LPI Capital 20 sen to RM13.40, Warisan 19 sen to RM2.79, Orient and BHIC 17 sen each to RM5.31 and RM3.15, Tasek 16 sen to RM7.86 and Bintulu Port up 15 sen to RM6.85.

Among the losers, UMW fell 34 sen to RM6.50, Carlsberg down 33 sen to RM8.66, Southern Acids and Malayan Flour Mills lost 17 sen each to RM2.15 and RM7.50, while GAB, IOI Corp, Tan Chong and Panasonic lost 10 sen each to RM13.40, RM5.05, RM4.04 and RM19.94 respectively.

Meanwhile, the actives included Wijaya, Kurnia Asia, Proton, JCY, Envair, Astral Supreme, Dialog and Sanichi.



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KLCI in the black mid-day, gains limited

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): The FBM KLCI remained in positive territory at the mid-day break on Friday in line with the gains at key regional markets, but gains were limited as sentiment stayed brittle with possible cuts in the credit ratings of euro zone countries.

Further compounding the already worried investors was Fitch Ratings’ downgrade of Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and five other large banks based in Europe and the United States, citing "increased challenges" in the financial markets.

The FBM KLCI added 3.01 points to 1,467.12 at the mid-day break, lifted by PLANTATION []s and select blue chips.

Gainers led losers by 324 to 291, while 274 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 974.25 million shares valued at RM555.68 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.25% to 3.1788 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM29 per tonne to RM3,000, crude oil added 28 cents per barrel to US$94.15 while gold jumped US$18.13 an ounce to US$1,588.65.

At the regional markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.51% to 8,420.30, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.61% to 18,136.23, the Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.01% to 2,181.22, Taiwan’s Taiex added 0.64% to 6,807.80, South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.82% to 1,834.01 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index was up 0.48% to 2,647.85.

On Bursa Malaysia, PPB was up 26 sen to RM16.66, Sungei Bagan and KLK up 16 sen each to RM2.98 and RM22.28, while United Plantations gained 12 sen to RM18.52.

Other gainers included Orient that rose 21 sen to RM5.35, Jaya Tiasa up 19 sen to RM7.10, Dialog 14 sen to RM2.58, Nestle 12 sen to RM56.14 and BHIC up 11 sen to RM3.09.

UMW was the top loser and fell 35 sen to RM6.49 after the company on Thursday said it was not in talks to by Khazanah’s stake 42.7% stake in PROTON HOLDINGS BHD [].

Other losers included Carlsberg that fell 19 sen to RM8.80, Southern Acids down 17 sen to RM2.15, Panasonic and JT International 14 sen each to RM19.90 and RM6.86, GAB 12 sen to RM13.38, Malayan Flour Mills 11 sen to RM7.56 and Advanced Packaging nine sen to RM1.13.

Meanwhile, the actives included Proton, JCY, Kurnia Asia, Sanichi and Wijaya.



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KLCI closes lower in line with weaker regional sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 6): The FBM KLCI closed lower on Tuesday, in line with the weaker sentiment at key regional markets.

Asian and European stocks, bond futures, and the euro were sent reeling on Tuesday by the shock warning from Standard & Poor's that it might downgrade euro zone countries en masse if no credible plan to solve the debt crisis emerges at a summit later this week, according to Reuters.

The FBM KLCI fell 9.03 points to close at 1,480.92.

Losers led gainers by 493 to 255, while 281 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.26 billion shares valued at RM1.31 billion.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 1.24% to 18,942.23, Taiwan’s Taiex lost 2% to 6,956.28, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was down 1.39% to 8,575.16, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.04% to 1,902.82, the Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.31% to 2,325.90 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.61% to 2,749.24.

Among the decliners on Bursa Malaysia, KLK fell 30 sen to RM21.68, Tasek 20 sen to RM7.80, Proton 19 sen to RM4.31, Aeon 15 sen to RM7.20, BAT 14 sen to RM47.96, Yahorng 13 sen to 47 sen, while BRDB and CIMB fell 12 sen each to RM2.02 and RM7.09.

Orient was the top gainer and rose 31 sen to RM4.79; Dutch Lady and LPI Capital added 20 sen each to RM25.10 and RM13.10, SHL added up 15 sen to RM1.30, Tradewinds PLANTATION []s 14 sen to RM4.56, South Acids 13 sen to RM2.32, while United Plantations and Malpac were up 12 sen each to RM18.48 and RM1.40.

Utopia was the most actively traded counter with 160 million shares done. The stock added two sen to 12 sen.

Other actives included Sanichi, Compugates, Proton securities, MBF Holdings warrants and DRB-Hicom securities.



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