Malaysia Stock Market Opens Easier

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia stock market (Bursa Malaysia) extended its losses from Monday to open weaker this morning on mild profit-taking in selected heavyweight counters such as Maxis, Axiata and BAT, dealers said. At 9.40 am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 3.63 points lower at 1,785.27 from Monday’s 1,788.90, after opening 2.18 points easier at 1,786.72. On the broader market, market breadth was positive with gainers outpacing losers 249 to 172 while 247 counters were unchanged, 1,121 untraded and 21 others were suspended. Turnover stood at 216.40 million shares worth RM150.81 million. A dealer said investors were reluctant to take any positions and were unwinding ahead of long Hari Raya Aidilfitri public holiday. "They are also expected to go for a long break," he said. On the scoreboard, the FBMT100 Index fell 11.81 points to 12,350.11, FBM Emas Index decreased 10.45 points to 12,705.91 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index depreciated 25.52 points to 12,915.61. The FBM 70 rose 35.78 points to 15,085.90 and the FBM Ace appreciated 53.60 points to 6,228.58. On a sectoral basis, the Finance Index added 7.04 points to 16,858.53, Industrial Index went down 3.17 points to 3,282.43 and the Plantation Index was 7.76 points higher to 7,991.37. Among heavyweights, Maybank rose one sen to RM9.64, TNB and Public Bank were flat at RM14.38 and RM20.34, respectively, Sime Darby gained two sen to RM9.62. CIMB Group was one sen lower to RM6.66. -- BERNAMA