KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI retreated for the second consecutive session amid weaker broader market sentiment, as investors remained cautious.
At closing, FBM KLCI finished 2.74 points, or 0.18% lower at 1,536.80. The market traded within a range of 11.83 points between an intra-day high of 1,544.98 and a low of 1,533.15 during the session.
Losers outpaced gainers at 540 to 367, while 492 counters ended unchanged, on a volume of 2.8 billion shares worth RM1.88bil.
Dealers opined that the key index may move sideways for now as recent gains are digested and strong buying opportunities remain limited.
They added that investors will be watching the current earnings season closely to assess the impact of tariffs on company profits and outlooks.
Malaysian Pacific Industries
, the biggest loser on Bursa Malaysia fell 34 sen to RM19.32. Hong Leong Bank lost 20 sen to RM20.20, CIMB slid 18 sen to RM6.90 and PETRONAS Chemicals declined 15 sen to RM3.30.
Among the gainers, Nestle jumped RM2 to RM88.50, Ayer rose 38 sen to RM8.38, Dutch Lady added 36 sen to RM28.20 and Heineken gained 30 sen to RM26.80.
On the forex market, the ringgit was down 0.59% against the greenback to 4.2262.
The local currency has depreciated by 0.69% against the pound sterling, now at 5.6274, and by 0.29% against the Singapore dollar at 3.2748.
In Asia, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific ex-Japan rose 0.06%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.7% to 22,662.71, while China’s CSI 300 gained 1.01% to 3,808.54 and the Shanghai Composite added 1.13% to close at 3,316.11.
Markets in Japan and South Korea are closed for holidays.
