KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (July 2): Following yesterday’s declaration of an Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) for much of Selangor and 15 locations in Kuala Lumpur, the Bursa Malaysia was lower at midday on negative mood. The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 3.2 points to 1,531.03 at 12.30 p.m., after closing at 1,534.23 on Thursday.
The market’s leading indicator opened 0.53 points lower at 1,533.7 and fluctuated between 1,530.42 and 1,536.
Losers outnumbered gainers 499 to 287 on the broader market, with 431 counters unchanged, 948 untraded, and 11 others suspended.
The company sold 3.38 billion units worth RM1.54 billion.
According to one analyst, the FBM KLCI was fluctuating within a narrow range due to concerns over Covid-19 in Malaysia, which had already harmed the domestic economy.
“Sentiment may remain low for the remainder of the day, as we approach the weekend,” he said.
Most regional markets were in positive territory, after Wall Street’s improved overnight performance on predictions of a strong global economic recovery after US data indicated manufacturing and unemployment claims improvements.
In Malaysia, the headline index fell drastically to a near-series low of 39.9 in June 2021, from 51.3 in May 2021, reflecting the tougher Covid-19 control measures, according to IHS Markit.
Sime Darby Plantation Bhd fell six sen to RM4.00, Hartalega Holdings Bhd fell 12 sen to RM7.02, Public Bank Bhd fell two sen to RM4.10, and Top Glove Corp Bhd fell four sen to RM4.03 among the heavyweights.
Axiata Group Bhd, on the other hand, rose six sen to RM3.84, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd rose three sen to RM4.78 and Digi.Com Bhd rose two sen to RM4.19.
Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd remained unchanged at 38 sen, Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd increased 7.5 sen to 82.5 sen, and KPower Bhd rose 3.5 sen to 94 sen among the actives.
The FBM Emas Index dropped 22.45 points to 11,150.9, the FBMT 100 Index down 22.65 points to 10,863.83, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index dropped 18.43 points to 12,168.37 on the index board.
The FBM ACE increased by 34.98 points to 7,141.48, while the FBM 70 fell by 3.12 points to 14,464.27.
The Financial Services Index down 24.56 points to 15,105.57, the Industrial Products and Services Index fell 0.22 points to 186.38, and the Plantation Index fell 48.08 points to 6,397.01./n
