The sentiment of local investors' concerns about the General Election (GE15) continued to push the local equity market down.
At the opening, the FBM KLCI index started 1.82 points at 1,446.56 before falling 1.86 points at 1,446.52 compared to Wednesday's close at 1,448.38.
In the broader market, losses at 133 outpaced gains at 84, while 178 counters were unchanged, 1,937 untraded and 47 suspended.
Total revenue at 118.29 million units worth RM108.44 million.
According to Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd, the GE15 factor and the weak performance of the global stock market may cause investors to be less interested in buying in the near future.
However, defensive consumer, telecommunication, and utility themed stocks are expected to be the pick and there is buying momentum in iron commodities due to policies in China.
Heavyweight stocks saw Maybank and Public Bank Bhd gain 2 sen at RM8.53 and RM4.32, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd added 1 sen at RM5.36 while Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd remained at RM8.62 while IHH Healthcare Bhd was unchanged at RM5 .95.
Active stocks showed Advance Synergy Bhd and AHB Holdings Bhd up 0.5 sen at 12.5 sen and 11.5 sen, Perdana Petroleum Bhd gained 3 sen at 12 sen, Icon Offshore Bhd remained at 14 sen and Eduspec Holdings Bhd was unchanged at 2 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Shariah index fell 24.61 points at 10,428.2, the FBM Emas index contracted 11.76 points at 10,283.2, the FBM ACE fell 20.7 points at 4,976.47, the FBMT 100 index lost 13.61 points at 10,010.25 and the FBM 70 lost 19.71 points at 12,234.34.
In terms of sectors, the Energy index added 0.01 points to 720.11, the Services index rose 17.39 points to 16,106.7, the Products and Services index jumped 0.04 points to 178.81 while the Plantation index fell 1.46 points to 6,900.74.
