KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI extended its losses and fell nearly seven points down in tandem with the continued softer oil prices, as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the upcoming Fed meeting this month.
At 12.30pm, the KLCI fell 6.77 points to 1,652.59. Turnover was 1.14 billion shares valued at RM766.24mil. There were 238 gainers, 459 decliners and 288 counters unchanged.
Reuters reported that Asian stocks slipped on Thursday as weak oil prices continued to feed global growth worries, while the euro held solid gains after a policymaker poured cold water on market expectations of more easing by the European Central Bank.
Meanwhile, HLIB Research said today the local bourse is likely to test its immediate support at 1,651 as overall sentiment remains more cautious amid weaker global stock market performance, sliding oil prices and ahead of the upcoming FOMC meeting on 15-16 Dec.
"A fall below 1,651 will witness local bourse to retest lower supports of 1,644 and 1,615. Key resistances are 1,674, 1,688 and 1,700 zones," it said in a note on Thursday.
At Bursa Malaysia, PBBank fell 12 sen to RM18.19, HLFG 16 sen to RM13.72 and Bursa 14 sen to RM8.34.
BAT fell 78 sen to RM55.12 and PetGas 12 sen to RM22.70.
Gainers were TopGlove, up 60 sen to RM11.24 and Pestech 16 sen to RM6.79.
MAHB rose eight sen to RM5.56 and Red Sena warrants eight sen to 8.5 sen.
US light crude oil rose 25 cents to US$37.41
Brent rose 34 cents to US$40.45
Crude palm oil for third-month delivery fell RM26 to RM2,358
The ringgit strengthened against the dollar at 4.2605 against 4.2705 the previous close.
Among the key regional markets,
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.14% to 19,080.31
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.79% to 13,884.58
Shanghai’s Composite Index rose 0.19% to 3,479.05
Taiwan’s Taiex fell 0.34% to 8,201.64
South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.36% to 1,941.22
Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.17% to 2,856.34
Spot gold rose US$2.71 to US$1,075.49
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