KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank, AmBank and Public Bank were among the biggest losers at the midday break on Wednesday as the key FBM KLCI lost more than 12 points, extending its losses for the second day following the volatile external equities and commodities markets.
Nine Chinese brokerages have pledged additional funds worth over 30 billion yuan (US$4.71bil) to buy shares, the China Securities Journal said on Wednesday.
At Bursa Malaysia, Maybank led the KLCI down for its second straight day of losses on profit taking after a brief run-up last week.
Maybank fell 33 sen to RM8.44, AmBank and Public Bank lost 18 sen each to RM4.50 and RM17.82, CIMB was down eight sen to RM4.76 and RHB Cap seven sen to RM6.30.
Plantation stocks fell as crude palm oil for third month delivery fell RM21 to RM1,992 per tonne. United Plantations lost 30 sen to RM25.80, IOI Corp four sen to RM3.90 but KL Kepong added 20 sen to RM20.60 and PPB Group 28 sen to RM15.44.
As for telcos, DiGi gained two sen to RM5.10, TM gained edged up one sen to RM6.49 while Maxis flat at RM6.56 while Axiata shed 11 sen to RM6.
Tenaga rose two sen to RM11.20 but UMW was down 32 sen to RM8.05.
US light crude oil fell 93 cents to US$44.48 and Brent lost 85 cents to US$48.71. Petronas Chemicals fell one sen to RM6.05 but Petronas Gas gained eight sen to RM21.48 and Petronas Daganagn two sen higher to RM21.02.
AirAsia rose three sen to 93 sen in active trade.