Bursa Malaysia remained low until midday Thursday in line with most regional exchanges as investors remained cautious ahead of the United States (US) inflation report to be released this Friday.
At 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 0.42% or 6.61 points to 1,584.34 from 1,590.95 when it closed on Wednesday yesterday.
The benchmark index opened 0.58 points stronger at 1,591.53 and it moved between 1,583.83 and 1,592.26 during the morning session.
Broad market sentiment remained negative as losers outnumbered gainers by 677 to 302. Meanwhile, 737 counters were unchanged, 1,036 counters were untraded and 73 others were suspended.
The total turnover was 2.61 billion units worth RM1.49 billion.
According to Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd, the US Personal Consumer Expenditure Index (PCE) data released this Friday will determine the next direction of US interest rates.
This week, traders are still monitoring the PCE data to understand more clues about the future direction of interest rates. In addition, major US technology companies recorded a rebound in the second session.
Commenting further, their firm emphasizes stock options that maintain a defensive mode such as the shipping industry. The industry is expected to see further growth as the shipping supply chain comes under pressure once again as the market has to wait longer for containers and shipments.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank fell five sen to RM9.91, Public Bank fell one sen to RM4, CIMB and IHH Healthcare each rose one sen to RM6.77 and RM6.28, while Tenaga Nasional was unchanged at RM13. 92.
As for active shares, YNH Property fell 10 sen to 50.5 sen, MY E.G lost four sen to 98 sen, Ingenieur Gudang contracted half a sen to six sen, and Dagang NeXchange fell 1.5 sen to 45 sen, while SBH Marine rose 2.5 sen to 34.5 sen. .
On the index board, the FBM Gold Index fell 49.90 points to 12,160.85, the FBMT 100 Index fell 49.92 points to 11,742.42, the FBM Emas Syariah Index fell 63.21 points to 12,504.33, the FBM 70 Index fell 78.80 points to 17,710.06, and the FBM ACE Index contracted 21.21 points to 5,702.10 .
By sector, the Energy Index was down 6.09 points to 953.90, the Industrial Products and Services Index was down one point to 195.84, the Plantation Index was down 21.39 points to 6,966.54 and the Financial Services Index was down 46.88 points to 17,398.35.
