FBM KLCI en route to second day of decline despite broader regional push

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI remained in the red at midday as it continued to buck the bullish trend seen in key regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the benchmark index was down 3.22 points to 1,496.23. There were 475 gainers compared with 356 decliners, indicating there remained some optimism across the board.

Trading volume was 2.04 billion shares valued at RM954.23mil.

Asian equities pushed higher as Hong Kong's market resumed trading after its Lunar New Year holiday.

The Hang Seng rose 1.7% to 22,426 although the mainland China markets will remain closed until next week.

Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.3% to 27,306 after yesterday's positive result while South Korea's Kospi maintained its upward trajectory by 0.9% to 2,450.

Australia's markets were closed for its National Day holiday.

On Bursa Malaysia, ATA IMS soared 6.5 sen to 36 on the back of 94.35 million shares traded, the highest volume in the morning session.

Trading activity was also heavy in Velesto, down 0.5 sen to 21.5 sen and Dataprep up 0.5 sen to 27 sen.

Gainers included Hextar Technologies jumping RM2.66 to RM26.98, MPI rising 20 sen to RM33.92 and Kuala Lumpur Kepong climbing 20 sen to RM21.48.

Meanwhile, there was profit-taking in Heineken Malaysia sliding 74 sen to RM27.10, Nestle down 30 sen to RM134.90 and Petronas Dagangan dropping 28 sen to RM22.72.