KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Bursa Malaysia closed on easier note today on profit-taking for the second consecutive day, bogged down by losses in selected heavyweights, dealers said.

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) ended the day 0.20 per cent, or 3.82 points, lower to 1,870.99 points despite a positive start to the day.

A dealer said the ongoing correction on lower-liners and penny stocks also dampened the broader market sentiment and capped further KLCI appreciation in the near term.

The FBM KLCI moved between 1,869.27 and 1,869.27 points throughout the day, after opening higher at 1,876.22 per cent.

Regionally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 eased to 15,539.19, Singapore’s Straits Times Index inched up to 3,325.5 but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng firmed to 25,112.23.

Among top losers, Kuala Lumpur Kepong plunged 62 sen to RM22.54, United Plantations declined 38 sen to RM27.10 and RHB Capital slipped 29 sen to RM2.86.

Of the top gainers, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia increased 28 sen to RM13.00, Ajiya Bhd added 26 sen to RM2.75 and Khind Holdings rose 18 sen to RM17.20.

Among the active counters, Hubline Bhd was flat at 55 sen, Reach Energy advanced one sen to 24.5 and Sumatec Resources eased 1.5 sen to 50.5 sen.

On the scoreboard, the Finance Index rose points to 12,648.01, Industrial Index parted 9.11 point to 3,260.27 and the Plantation Index dropped 106.620 points to 8,590.29. 

The FBM Emas Index was 16.42 points lower at 13,082.26, FBMT100 Index dropped 16.47 to 12,648.01.

The FBM 70 added 17.08 points to 14,370.47 and the FBM Ace added 0.91 of a point to 7,073.61.

Losers led gainers by 456 by 381 while 317 counters were unchanged, 489 untraded and 22 others were suspended.

Total volume rose to 3.314 billion units worth RM2.26 billion from 2.99 billion units worth RM2.44 billion yesterday. — Bernama