The FBM KLCI, Malaysia’s benchmark index, closed higher on Monday despite mixed performance from its regional peers. Investors were focused on a key reading on U.S. inflation, which influenced market sentiment.
By 5pm, the FBM KLCI rose 5.39 points or 0.39% to reach 1,383.06. Throughout the session, the market traded within a range of 9.38 points, with an intra-day high of 1,386.94 and a low of 1,377.56.
The Bursa Malaysia, where the FBM KLCI is listed, experienced a positive market breadth with 405 gainers, 377 losers, and 454 counters remaining unchanged. The market turnover stood at 2.24 billion shares valued at RM1.51 billion.
Among the FBM KLCI component stocks, Kuala Lumpur Kepong led the gainers by rising 36 sen to RM22.70. Other gainers included Nestle, which gained 30 sen to RM130.90, PETRONAS Dagangan, which added 10 sen to RM21.96, and Dialog, which climbed nine sen to RM2.20.
On the other hand, laggards among the KLCI component stocks included Hong Leong Bank, Axiata, and Telekom Malaysia.
In the broader market, F&N rose 20 sen to RM25.40, Uchi Technologies added 13 sen to RM3.57, Hextar Technologies lost 40 sen to RM27.10, and Heineken Malaysia fell 32 sen to RM25.52.
SkyWorld Development, a newly listed company, closed down six sen or 7.5% at 74 sen. With 110.51 million shares traded, it emerged as the most active counter on Bursa Malaysia.
Meanwhile, in the region, Japan’s Nikkei dropped 0.61% to 32,189.73, while South Korea’s Kospi closed down 0.24% at 2,520.70. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index experienced a 0.62% increase, reaching 18,479.72.
China’s main Shanghai Composite index closed up 0.22% at 3,203.70, while its blue-chip CSI300 index ended up 0.49% at 3,844.33.
Credit: The Star : Business Feed
