KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia joined key Asian markets to close lower on Tuesday as earlier gains evaporated under rising risks from North Korea and a correction in China's markets but the ringgit climbed against key currencies.
At 5pm, the KLCI was down 6.59 points or 0.37% to 1,762.08. Turnover was 1.9 billion shares valued at RM1.80bil. There were 340 gainers, 456 gainers, 417 counters unchanged.
The ringgit rose 0.05% to the US dollar to 4.2983 and added 0.31% against the pound sterling to 5.5550 and edged up 0.11% against the Singapore dollar to 3.1097 and gained 0.23% to the euro at 4.8794.
Emerging stocks fell as Pyongyang's latest missile test heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula and added to a correction in China, while currencies were torn between lower commodity prices and a weaker dollar, Reuters reported.
MSCI's emerging equity benchmark fell 0.7% - its sharpest one-day drop in nearly three weeks - after losses among Asian heavyweights Taiwan and South Korea as the North Korean missile landed in Japanese waters.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
