KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Shares on Bursa Malaysia opened easier on a lack of market participants ahead of the weekend, a dealer said.

At 9.04 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 1.7 points or 0.10 per cent lower at 1,699.84, after opening 3.28 points easier at 1,698.26.       

The dealer said the market might pick up at mid-morning session onwards, supported by domestic buying.

“There has been a constant outflow of foreign funds from June and investors are cautious over the local bourse ahead of the weekend and Hari Raya holidays next week,” he added.

On the scoreboard, the FBM Emas Index was easier at 1.4 points to 11,704.61, the FBMT100 Index eased 2.44 points for 11,400.38 and the FBM Emas Syariah Index inched down 0.20 point to 12,200.23070.73.

The FBM Ace, however, rose 16.74 points at 6,099.30 and the FBM 70 improved 30.55 points to 12,615.31.

On a sectoral basis, the Plantation Index was 11.59 points better at 7,405.54 and the Industrial Index rose 8.58 points to 3,150.31.

But, the Finance Index fell 7.74 points to 15,227.64.

Market breadth was positive as gainers beat losers 121 to 57, while 92 counters were unchanged, 1523 untraded and 12 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 35.17 million shares worth RM19.12 million.

Among heavyweights, Maybank eased two sen to RM9.14, TNB fell 14 sen to RM12.42, while both Public Bank and Sime Darby were flat at RM18.5 and RM8.51, respectively.

Among actives, KNM inched down one sen to 60 sen, Malaysia Steel Works fell 11 sen to 51 sen, while Perwaja and AirAsia rose one sen each to 29.5 sen and RM1.32, respectively. — Bernama