KLCI closes below 1, 600 but ringgit rallies

KUALA LUMPUR: Blue chips ended Friday on a slighter weaker note with the benchmark FBM KLCI below the important 1, 600 level on losses by Sime Plantation and Maybank despite firmer economic data and stronger ringgit.

At 5pm, the KLCI was down 1.07 points or 0.07% to 1, 599.22. Turnover was lackluste at 1.79 billion shares valued at RM1.44bil. The broader market was mixed with 390 gainers, 325 losers and 420 counters unchanged.