KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 ― Bursa Malaysia opened lower today, tracking the US stock market following continued concern over the weakening of global economic growth, dealers said.
At 9.15am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 8.30 points to 1,648.03 versus yesterday's close of 1,656.52.
The market breadth was negative with losers leading gainers by 219 to 93, with 160 counters unchanged, 1,278 untraded and 12 others suspended.
Turnover stood at 176.59 million shares worth RM91.80 million.
A dealer said the global market remained uncertain with the oil prices down 57 US cents, or 1.6 per cent, to US$34.95 (RM150.78) a barrel, just after the US Federal Reserve increased its interest rates, which was supposed to signify a more confident economy worldwide.
“The further drop in the oil price has resulted in the decline in most of the energy and materials shares in the emerging countries, including on our local bourse,” he said.
Of the heavyweights, Maybank fell five sen to RM8.36, TNB eased two sen to RM12.98, Public Bank and Petronas Chemicals were flat at RM18.34 and RM7, respectively.
Among actives, Sumatec was flat at 12 sen, while both Asia Media and SMTRACK were half-a-sen better at 13 sen and 11.5 sen, respectively.
On the scoreboard, the FBM Emas Index fell 53.76 points to 11,528.12, FBMT100 Index declined 52.22 points to 11,205.50 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index dropped 52.69 points to 12,435.27.
The FBM Ace eased 39.11 points to 6,326.83 and the FBM 70 inched down 29.70 points to 12,974.59.
On a sectoral basis, the Finance Index decreased 60.68 points to 14,111.80, Industrial Index inched down 19.71 points to 3,198.74 and the Plantation Index was 27.64 points lower at 7,439.82. ― Bernama
