KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Shares on Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session slightly higher today, but continued to decline as investors turned passive ahead of the US Federal Reserve Monetary Policy meeting, dealers said.
As at 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI edged up 0.33 of a point higher to 1,771.13. The benchmark index hovered between 1,770.27 and 1,781.47.
A dealer said investors stayed on the sidelines pending the outcome on Thursday of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting that will determine the direction of their bond-buying programme.
Furthermore, he said, lingering uncertainty over the geopolitical situation in Syria continued to prevent firmer investor commitments.
On the scoreboard, the Finance Index slipped 0.42 of a point to 16,586 and the Plantation Index lost 7.55 points to 8,323.2. The Industrial Index rose 2.01 points to 3,007.76, the FBM Emas Index 2.82 points to 12,277.41, the FBM100 Index 0.38 of a point to 12,028.58, and the FBM Ace 38.63 points to 5,133.02. The FBM 70 lost 7.21 points to 13,900.21.
Gainers led losers 371 to 222, with 269 counters unchanged, 726 untraded and 21 suspended. Trading was moderate at 789.01 million shares worth RM727.25 million.
Among actives, Integrated Rubber added 7.5 sen to 49.5 sen, Green Packet earned 4.5 sen to 47 sen and Hovid gained 0.5 sen to 28 sen. Salcon lost 2.5 sen to 64.5 sen.
Of the heavyweights, Maybank added 4 sen to RM10.16, CIMB 3 sen to RM7.60 and Petronas Chemicals 1 sen to RM6.76. Axiata was unchanged at RM6.89 while Sime Darby lost 2 sen to RM9.50. — Bernama
