Bursa closes firmer bolstered by buying interest in bluechips
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 – Share prices on Bursa Malaysia closed firmer today, bolstered by buying interest in bluechip stocks despite the retreat on most regional markets, dealers said.
Gains in consumer and banking stocks pushed the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) to cross the important 1,590 level and closed 12.25 points higher at 1,594.98.
The barometer index, which opened at 1,581.27, fluctuated between 1,581.27 and 1,594.98 throughout the day.
A dealer said although most regional markets were lower on recurring concern that the eurozone crisis is far from over, European and US equities trended higher on positive sentiment over the Spanish debt auction, and a meeting of the US Federal Reserve later today.
On the local front, the Finance Index jumped 84.65 points to 14,231.56, the Plantation Index was 37.77 points higher at 8,470.55 and the Industrial Index appreciated 28.34 points to 2,787.96.
The FBM Emas Index rose 80.40 points to 10,902.42, the FBM Mid 70 Index advanced 73.10 points to 11,947.61 and the FBM ACE Index edged up 24.04 points to 4,235.79.
Gainers thumped losers 467 to 264 while 300 counters were unchanged, 519 untraded and 13 others suspended.
Turnover softened slightly to 932.560 million shares worth RM1.459 billion from the 941.093 million units valued at RM1.637 billion posted yesterday. – Bernama
