Malaysia benchmark index hits new high

SHARE prices on Bursa Malaysia closed higher yesterday in line with the rally in regional bourses with the FBM KLCI touching a new all-time high of 1,625.04, dealers said. The index hit a high of 1,624.29 after it opened 0.7 point higher at 1,621.01.



Vice president and head of retail research of Affin Investment Bank, Dr Nazri Khan, said the local bourse's uptrend was prompted by gains in plantation counters like KL Kepong, IJM Plantations and Tradewinds Plantation.

A dealer said investors' sentiment was also lifted by new progress on the eurozone after their finance ministers agreed to grant Spain an extra year to reach its deficit reduction targets. However, weak China import data has stopped investors from taking major positions as the data signaled slower consumer demand in the country, he said.

Gainers led losers by 436 to 338 while 355 counters were flat, 442 untraded and 11 suspended.

Of the actives, Ariantec Global fell 1.5 sen to eight sen, Metronic Global lost one sen to 7.5 sen and Luster Industries was flat at 10 sen.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank was up four sen to RM8.74, Sime Darby rose one sen to RM9.94, CIMB surged seven sen to RM7.81 while Petronas Chemicals eased one sen to RM6.55.

Meanwhile, FBM KLCI futures closed higher in line with the firmer cash market, dealers said.

July 2012 rose 9.5 points to 1,629.50, August 2012 surged 10 points to 1,629.0, September 2012 added nine points to 1,627.0 and December 2012 advanced 6.5 points to 1,622.50.

Turnover jumped to 4,157 lots from 3,197 lots and open interest was up to 37,010 from 35,984 contracts previously.

Bernama

Comments

Popular Posts