PERSISTENT selling in selected consumer products and services as well as healthcare counters dragged Bursa Malaysia to end lower today after three consecutive days of gains, amid the cautious sentiment across most regional markets, dealers said.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined 16.79 points to 1,606.68 compared to Monday’s close of 1,623.47.
The market bellwether opened 0.26 of-a-point lower at 1,623.21 and moved between 1,603.82 and 1,623.25 during the trading session.
Overall market breadth remained negative as losers thumped gainers 687 versus 417, while 433 counters were unchanged, 663 untraded and 29 others suspended.
Total volume slipped to 7.17 billion shares worth RM5.07 bil from 8.30 billion shares worth RM5.59 bil on Monday.
A dealer said most Asian markets were traded in a cautious mode ahead of the key US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting scheduled on April 27-28, as well as the resurgence in COVID-19 cases, particularly in the Asian region.
Investors were expected to remain on the sidelines to await the outcome of the Fed meeting, where Chair Jerome Powell is expected to give a clearer indication on whether the improving economic conditions warrant a tapering of monetary easing.
Regionally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dipped 0.46% to 28,991.89, China’s Hang Seng slipped 0.04% to 28,941.54, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.24% to 3,212.54.
Back home, Nestle (M) Bhd and Hartalega Holdings Bhd were among the top losers, declining 50 sen to RM136 and 48 sen to RM10.70 respectively.
Among heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd shed 10 sen to RM8.26, Public Bank Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd went down 2.0 sen each to RM4.17 and RM9.98, respectively, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd fell 6.0 sen to RM7.85, while Top Glove Corporation Bhd decreased 12 sen to RM5.78.
Among the active counters, Focus Dynamics Group Bhd slipped 1.5 sen to 13 sen, Careplus Group Bhd declined 2.0 sen to RM2.74, while Kanger International Bhd earned half-a-sen to 7.5 sen, and Sedania Innovator Bhd rose 4.5 sen to 27.5 sen. – April 27, 2021
