KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Shares on Bursa Malaysia ended the day lower amid subdued market tone and lack of fresh catalysts, with the benchmark index 0.05 per cent easier.

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) ended at 1,626.77 points, 0.86 of a point easier from yesterday’s close of 1,627.63.

After opening 0.26 of a point weaker at 1,627.37, the benchmark index hovered between 1,620.94 and 1,629.81 throughout the day.

Losers outpaced gainers 397 to 332 with 371 counters unchanged, 616 untraded and 16 others suspended.

Volume decreased to 1.38 billion shares worth RM1.46 billion from 1.83 billion shares worth RM2.07 billion yesterday.

Hong Leong Investment Bank Research said despite the FBM KLCI’s intraday high of 1,637 yesterday, the local index was unable to hold the gains as it settled at 1,627.63 yesterday.

“We reiterate our view that the FBM KLCI’s near-term outlook remains challenging on the back of uncertainties in the equity, bond and currency markets,” it said in a note.

On the technical front, the research firm said the FBM KLCI must firm up towards the 1,640 zone, and if this failed to materialise, the benchmark index would likely resume its downtrend towards the 1,600-1,612 levels.

Among heavyweights, TNB added two sen to RM14.22, Maybank gained nine sen to RM7.75, Public Bank lost 10 sen to RM19.56 and Petronas Chemicals rose 10 sen to RM6.93.

On actives, APFT increased one sen to seven sen, Hibiscus Petroleum lost 1.5 sen to 26 sen, while AirAsia X and RGB gave up one sen each to 38.5 sen and 26 sen, respectively.

On the scoreboard, the FBM Emas Index lost 19.15 points to 11,459.81, FBMT100 Index decreased 18.87 points to 11,170.87 and the FBM Emas Syariah Index fell 13 points to 12,098.97.

The FBM 70 gave up 69.48 points at 13,322.5, but the FBM Ace was 3.26 points higher at 4,984.41.

Sector-wise, the Industrial Index increased 1.08 points to 3,073.73, Finance Index gave up 24.68 points to 14,138.66 and the Plantation Index fell 4.12 points to 7,794.34.

Main Market turnover contracted to 949.28 million units worth RM1.38 billion from 1.37 billion units worth RM1.98 billion on Wednesday.

The ACE Market volume was lower at 204.91 million shares valued at RM30.07 million from 224.11 million shares valued at RM39.49 million yesterday.

Warrants declined to 231.8 million units valued at RM49.79 million from 236.43 million units valued at RM47.99 million.

Consumer products accounted for 40.52 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products (154.87 million), construction (56.59 million), trade and services (383.51 million), technology (37.1 million), infrastructure (7.88 million), SPAC (137.46 million), finance (45.78 million), hotels (142,000) properties (38.53 million), plantations (23.36 million), mining (6,000), REITs (23.46 million), and closed/fund (10,000). — Bernama