KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Bursa Malaysia gave up earlier gains to end lower today due to losses in key heavyweights as market sentiment at the local bourse turned tepid.

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) closed half-a-point weaker to 1,778.15 from yesterday’s closing of 1,778.65.

After opening 6.38 points better at 1,785.03 this morning, the benchmark index moved between 1,773.09 and 1,787.54 throughout the day.

On the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 497 to 412, with 408 counters unchanged, 444 untraded and 32 others suspended.

Volume decreased to 3.51 billion units valued at RM3.84 billion from 3.74 billion units valued at RM2.99 billion recorded yesterday.

Sentiment in the local bourse was supported by higher global oil price during the early session, however, a dealer said the benchmark index is currently displaying a monotone trajectory, indicating that its tepid trade would likely be extended given its limited upside potential due to lack of catalysts.

"Taking the above into consideration, the FBM KLCI is likely to continue on its tepid trade. Overhead resistances are seen at 1,784 and 1,800, while supports are located at 1,760 and 1,743,” he added.

Among heavyweights, Maybank fell three sen to RM9.35, TNB declined six sen to RM13.94, Petronas Chemicals was two sen weaker at RM7.25, while Public Bank added 18 sen to RM20.16 and Sime Darby was flat at RM9.33.

As for actives, Iskandar Waterfront lost 15 sen to RM1.98, Netx Holdings eased one sen to 7.5 sen, Priceworth International gained half-a-sen to 25 sen while Malton surged 24 sen to RM1.78.

The FBM Emas Index fell 9.15 points to 12,738.04, the FBMT100 Index decreased 10.35 points to 12,364.99 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index was 17.65 points lower at 13,081.42.

The FBM 70 declined 38.74 points to 15,345.04 but the FBM Ace added 1.76 points to 6,492.32.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index rose 1.21 points to 16,408.95, the Plantation Index improved 15.67 points to 8,122.41 and the Industrial Index advanced 31.42 points to 3,293.44.

Main Market turnover narrowed to 2.43 billion units worth RM3.67 billion from 2.63 billion units worth RM2.79 billion recorded yesterday.

Volume on the ACE Market declined to 735.73 million units valued at RM118.51 million from 838.43 million units valued at RM158.41 million.

Warrants increased to 337.12 million units valued at RM42.82 million from 259.97 million units valued at RM37.33 million on Monday.

Consumer products accounted for 169.4 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products (446.92 million), construction (259.38 million), trade and services (605.43 million), technology (130.43 million), infrastructure (13.97 million), SPAC (4.8 million), finance (77.25 million), hotels (1.62 million), properties (668.14 million), plantations (50.19 million), mining (15,000), REITs (12.28 million), and closed/fund (77,800). — Bernama