KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 ― Bursa Malaysia was lower at mid-day today as buying sentiment was dampened by uncertainties ahead of the widely monitored Bank of Japan (BOJ) and US Federal Reserve policy meetings.
At lunch break, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) stood at 1,648.51, down 3.2 points against Monday's close of 1,651.71.
After opening 5.2 points better at 1,656.91 this morning, the local index hovered between 1,645.18 and 1,656.91 throughout the morning session.
Losers outpaced gainers by 393 to 268, while 342 counters were unchanged, 687 untraded and 18 others suspended.
Turnover stood at 588.22 million shares worth RM554.4 million.
On the technical front, Kenanga Research said the key index was currently consolidating sideways and looking to find some support from the 1,650 level.
“Overall indicators are still pointing towards a downside-biased consolidation play for the week, especially with the sentiment still uninspiring amidst the volatile oil prices, weak ringgit and uncertainties ahead of the highly anticipated US Federal Open Market Committee meeting that begins today,” it added in a note.
Among heavyweights, TNB fell four sen to RM14.38, Maybank declined one sen to RM7.82 and Public Bank added six sen to RM19.54.
Of the actives, Iris and Lion Diversified both gained one sen to 17.5 sen and 3.5 sen, respectively, while DBE Gurney inched down half-a-sen to four sen.
The FBM Emas Index fell 15.68 points to 11,635.92, the FBMT100 Index declined 16.44 points to 11,338.02 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index was 24.71 points lower at 12,252.85.
The FBM 70 garnered 0.56 point to 13,586.61 and the FBM Ace rose 4.31 points to 5,212.96.
On a sectoral basis, the Industrial Index was 4.12 points lower at 3,083.13, the Plantation Index added 4.05 points to 7,837.73 and the Finance Index rose 8.84 points to 14,205.85. ― Bernama
