KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 — Shares on Bursa Malaysia opened lower today on weakening buying support in tandem with the US’ Wall Street, which plunged amid the decline in crude oil prices, dealers said.
At 9.10am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 7.78 points to 1,632.36, after opening 10.82 points lower at 1,629.32 versus last Friday’s close of 1,640.14.
Market breadth was negative as losers led gainers 286 to 55, with 127 counters unchanged, 1,294 untraded and 19 others suspended.
Turnover stood at 183.58 million shares worth RM50.57 million.
A dealer said traders were keeping thier eyes on edge ahead of the anticipated US rate hike by the US Federal Reserve in the week.
Meanwhile, research house Affin Hwang Capital said despite the lower US stock market, consumer confidence among Americans climbed in December to the highest level in four months as favorable perceptions about household finances made them more positive about spending their money.
“The University of Michigan’s preliminary index of sentiment rose to 91.8 from 91.3 in November,” the research house said.
Of the heavyweights, Maybank fell two sen to RM8.31, both TNB and Axiata went down eight sen each to RM13.06 and RM6.00 respectively, while Public Bank was four sen lower at RM18.20.
Among actives, The Media Shoppe and Instacom were flat at nine sen and 28 sen respectively, and Red Sena fell one sen to 39 sen.
On the scoreboards, the FBM Emas Index fell 50.17 points to 11,389.53, the FBMT100 Index decreased 48.91 points to 11,066.60 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index lost 65.51 points to 12,240.90.
The FBM Ace gave up 55.78 points to 6,371.76 and the FBM 70 slipped 42.06 points to 12,684.88.
On a sectoral basis, the Finance Index was 27.61 points lower at 13,989.18, the Industrial Index inched down 14.30 points to 3,168.15 and the Plantation Index was 7.40 points easier at 7,345.25. — Brnama
