Bursa prices close lower but index hits all time high
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 – Share prices on Bursa Malaysia closed lower, reflecting the weakness in regional bourses, dealers said.
However, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI), finished 0.88 of a point higher at a new-all-time high of 1,653.78, driven by gains in selected heavyweights.
Dealers said market breath was bearish as investors lost hope for more stimulus measures expected from policy makers in major economies to spur weak global economic growth.
Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz announced that the Malaysian economy recorded a higher-than-expected second quarter growth of 5.4 per cent.
“However, negative external developments, kept investors sidelined,” said a dealer.
The Finance Index declined 29.69 points to 14,787.10, the Industrial Index eased 14.48 points to 2,903.48 and the Plantation Index fell 5.97 points to 8,725.04.
The FBM Emas Index slipped 0.17 of a point to 11,300.26 but the FBMT100 Index rose 0.77 of a point to 11,125.18.
Meanwhile, the FBM70 Index dipped 23.47 points to 12,416.63 but the FBM Ace Index increased 11.94 points to 4,471.95.
Decliners outnumbered advancers 410 to 335 while 343 counters were unchanged, 540 others untraded and 21 others were suspended.
Turnover increased to 1.113 billion shares, worth RM1.185 billion, from 1.014 billion shares, worth RM1.255 billion, registered yesterday.
For actives, Ingenuity Solutions gained four sen to 23 sen, Ingenuity Solutions warrants improved three sen to 13 sen, Astral Supreme added three sen to 34 sen and Managepay Systems was unchanged at 12.5 sen.
Among heavyweights, Maybank slipped four sen to RM8.91, CIMB lost four sen to RM7.91 while Sime Darby and Petronas Chemicals was both unchanged at RM9.80 and RM6.62, respectively. – Bernama
