Malaysian market sentiment affected by confluence of factors

Macro-news flows may determine market direction with some elements of window-dressing towards year-end.

PETALING JAYA: Market sentiment remained wary after Monday’s rout, as disappointing corporate earnings, a weaker ringgit, lower commodity prices and cooling factory orders in China and the eurozone kept investors mostly on the sidelines.

The benchmark 30-stock FTSE Bursa Malaysia KL Composite Index (FBM KLCI) closed 7.7 points or 0.43% higher at 1,785.97 on mild bargain hunting, with the broader market’s performance mixed. There were 439 gainers versus 400 losers, while 313 other counters were traded unchanged.