KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 ― Shares on Bursa Malaysia opened easier today as traders stayed on the sidelines, a dealer said.

At 9.15am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 1.38 points weaker at 1,653.46 from yesterday's close of 1,654.84.

The index opened 1.84 points lower at 1,653.00.

Market breath was, however, positive as gainers led losers 115 to 112, while 158 counters were unchanged, 1,328 untraded and 18 others suspended.   

Turnover stood at 77.93 million shares worth RM34.98 million. 

"Trading activities are expected to be subdued as we enter a shortened trading week due to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday,” said a dealer.  

The FBM Emas Index eased 9.09 points to 11,521.45, the FBMT 100 Index fell 7.68 points for 11,231.93 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index shed 9.21 points to 12,086.33.

The FBM 70 slid 2.59 points to 12,951.88, while the FBM Ace was 13.78 points higher at 5,137.90.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index declined 10.90 points to 14,287.60, the Plantation Index slid 12.11 points to 7,579.61 and the Industrial Index was 3.24 points higher at 3,114.06.

Among heavyweights, Maybank slipped two sen to RM8.21, Tenaga was flat at RM14.06, while Public Bank and IHH Healthcare rose two sen to RM19.40 and RM6.62 respectively.

Among the actively-traded stocks were Sanichi, Luster, O&C Resources, KNM and DGB.

In conjunction with Hari Raya, Bursa Malaysia has announced that it will shorten trading to a half-day today.

The Exchange and its subsidiaries will be closed for two days from tomorrow in conjunction with the festive celebration. ― Bernama