.JPG "An investor monitors the stock prices in the gallery of the RHB Investment Bank Bhd headquarters in Kuala Lumpur March 17, 2020. u00e2u20acu2022 Picture by Hari Anggara")
KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 ― Bursa Malaysia opened marginally higher in choppy trading today, as overall investor sentiment remained cautious due to the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) 3.0.
At 9.05am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) inched up 0.18 of-a-point to 1,588.43 from yesterday's close of 1,588.25.
The barometer index opened 3.73 higher at 1,591.98.
On the broader market, losers edged past gainers 245 to 202, while 291 counters were unchanged, 1,416 untraded and five others suspended.
Total volume stood at 359.92 million shares worth RM172.87 million.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said Bursa Malaysia is expected to remain subdued on the back of rising Covid-19 cases, which has led to a tighter MCO implementation in six districts in Selangor.
“Meanwhile, the technology sector may see further pullback following the Nasdaq’s overnight decline in Wall Street.
“On commodities, Brent crude price has spiked to a near two-month high on demand optimism, while lumber futures charged towards an all-time-high region,” it said in a note today.
The research house said for today, the sector to focus on is the packaging-related counters amidst the implementation of MCO 3.0.
“Additionally, higher Brent crude price, coupled with the higher-than-expected results from the oil giant Saudi Aramco could spur buying interest, while trading interest should be noticed within lumber-related stocks,” it added.
Yesterday, the government announced that interstate and inter-district travel would be banned in Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang which have been placed under MCO from May 6-17 due to the surge in new Covid-19 cases in those areas.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said social activities are disallowed under the new measures, but most economic activities will not be affected.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank and Public Bank were flat at RM8.24 and RM4.12, respectively. Petronas Chemicals eased six sen to RM8.12, TNB fell two sen to RM9.95 and IHH rose three sen to RM5.29.
Of the actives, KNM gained half-a-sen to 19 sen, TA Win added 3.5 sen to 17 sen, Tanco was flat at nine sen and Velesto Energy eased half-a-sen to 15.5 sen.
Top gainers include Transocean which increased 43 sen to RM6.63, Gopeng which gained 22 sen to RM1.35 and HengYuan which strengthened 15 sen to RM5.75.
Of the losers, MPI declined 50 sen to RM38, Nestle lost 30 sen to RM135.50 and Unisem reduced 19 sen to RM7.71.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index was 2.59 points lower at 11,698.59, the FBM Emas Shariah Index eased 12.92 points to 13,121.40, the FBMT 100 Index fell 7.38 points to 11,341.18, the FBM 70 contracted 43.53 points to 15,372.05, and the FBM ACE lost 36.06 points to 8,591.34.
Sector-wise, the Industrial Products and Services Index decreased 0.36 of-a-point to 198.87, the Plantation Index weakened by 16.03 points to 6,975.98, while the Financial Services Index gained 21.02 points to 14,860.24. ― Bernama
