KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — Bursa Malaysia closed marginally higher today, as investors gained a measure of confidence from slightly positive Malaysian trade performance data, against the backdrop of a gloomy global economy, dealers said.

At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) ended at 1,648.24, up 0.16 of a point from Thursday’s close of 1,648.08, after moving between 1,634.95 and 1,651.24 throughout the day.

The benchmark index opened 1.41 points lower at 1,658.19.

On the broader market, losers overwhelmed gainers 402 to 343 with 364 counters unchanged, 562 untraded and 16 others suspended.  Volume fell to 1.32 billion units worth RM1.61 billion from 1.45 billion units worth RM1.93 billion on Thursday.

Data released by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry showed that Malaysia’s total trade from January-September 2016 rose marginally higher by 0.6 per cent to RM1.077 trillion compared with the same period in 2015.

A dealer said most Asian stock markets were weak on fears of the possibility that Donald Trump might win the US presidential election next week.

The decision by the Bank of Japan and the US Federal Reserve to maintain interest rates at the current level, which fell within expectations, also failed to impact the markets.

Among heavyweights, TNB and Petronas Chemicals rose two sen each to RM14.30 and RM6.96 respectively, while Maybank lost 11 sen to RM7.67 and Public Bank shed four sen to RM19.80.

Of the actives, AirAsia X eased half-a-sen to 43 sen, Sinotop gained two sen to 11.5 sen, Metronic improved 1.5 sen to nine sen, while Sterling Progress was flat at 3.5 sen.

The FBM Emas Index declined 6.66 points to 11,607.72, the FBMT 100 Index fell 5.39 points to 11,315.80 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index eased 0.06 of a point to 12,231.96.

The FBM 70 declined 30.11 points to 13,486.18 and the FBM Ace fell 24.53 points to 4,978.40.

The Finance Index dropped 42.48 points to 14,259.50 and the Industrial Index gained 5.58 points to 3,145.04.

The Plantation Index slipped 7.69 points to 7,777.43.

Main Market turnover declined to 878.31 million units worth RM1.54 billion from 911. — Bernama