KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Share prices on Bursa Malaysia opened lower today on mild profit taking after ending last week's trade higher, dealers said.

At 9.10 am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 4.82 points easier at 1,632.37 after opening 4.51 points weaker at 1,632.68.

It closed 6.1 points higher at 1,637.19 on Friday.     

RHB Retail Research said it was maintaining the near-term bearish sentiment, as the benchmark index is still trading below the 1,636 points resistance mentioned since last week.

"That said, as long as the bearishness of the 'Bearish Engulfing' pattern formed on May 19-20 is not negated, it would show that the buying interest is still weak," it said in a research note today.

The research firm expects the immediate resistance level to be at 1,636 points, with the next resistance anticipated at 1,700 points and the near-term support level being maintained at 1,607 points.

The FBM Emas Index slipped 29.34 points to 11,418.46, the FBMT100 Index declined 30.28 points to 11,111.43 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index decreased 35.35 points to 11,925.02.

The FBM 70 shed 26.18 points to 12,896.95, but the FBM Ace was 2.55 points higher at 5,566.81.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index fell 27.67 points to 14,222.85, while the Industrial Index eased 22.67 points to 3,088.61, and the Plantation Index slid 12.61 points to 7,479.95.

Market breadth was lower with 156 losers and 116 gainers, while 143 counters were unchanged, 1,331 untraded and 58 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 133.51 million shares worth RM51.51 million.

Among heavyweights, Maybank and TNB dipped two sen each to RM8.25 and RM14, respectively, while IHH Healthcare and Petronas Chemicals were flat at RM6.53 and RM6.64.

Of the actives, Kanger International rose 1.5 sen to 30.5 sen, Mexter Technology added 2.5 sen to 15 sen, AirAsia gained eight to RM2.48, while Nexgram was flat at 5.5 sen. — Bernama