Monday, March 28, 2011

FBM KLCI dips at mid-day break

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI slipped into negative territory at the mid-day break on Monday, March 28, in line with the decline at most key regional markets as Japan's Nikkei 225 fell more than 1%.

Investor sentiment was tepid, with the escalating turmoil in the Middle East as well as another 6.5 magnitude earthquake that jolted northern Japan earlier this morning.

However, while there was no damage reported from the quake, concerns have remained high with Japanese engineers battling to control the six-reactor Fukushima nuclear power plant complex since the earthquake, which left more than 27,000 people dead or missing across Japan's northeast.

The FBM KLCI fell 1.83 points to 1,513.72, weighed by losses including at BAT, HLFG, PPB, Tenaga and MISC.

Losers edged gainers by 340 to 308, while 276 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 761.92 million shares valued at RM711.78 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.02% to 3.0258 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM5 per tonne to RM3,266, crude oil shed 30 cents per barrel to US$105.10 and gold fell US$3.81 per troy ounce to US$1,425.93.

At the regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.12% to 9,428.96, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 0.72% to 22,990.82, Singapore's Straits Times Index was down 0.73% to 3,048.39, Taiwan's Taiex lost 0.70% to 8,550.31 and South Korea's Kospi was down 0.24% to 2,049.06.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.70% to 2,998.78.

On Bursa Malaysia, BAT was the top loser this morning and fell 30 sen to RM47.70; Paos lost 12.5 sen to 66.5 sen, Panasonic, HLFG, PPB and Tenaga fell 10 sen each to RM21, RM8.89, RM16.92 and RM5.99 respectively, while Proton, MISC, Hap Seng and UEM Land lost eight sen each to RM3.35, RM7.73, RM6.50 and RM2.68 respectively.

Timber-related stocks climbed this morning, on expectations of an increase in demand for timber and plywood products for re-CONSTRUCTION [] works following the massive earthquake in Japan.

Ta Ann jumped 40 sen to RM6.40, Subur Tiasa 29 sen to RM3.15, Jaya Tiasa 24 sen to RM6.04, WTK nine sen to RM1.80 and Leweko one sen to 20.5 sen.

Other gainers included DiGi that rose 10 sen to RM27.88, RHB Capital 19 sen to RM8.47, GAB'' 14 sen to RM9.79, PacificMas 13 sen to RM5.92, SHL and Esso 12 sen each to RM1.42 and RM3.92, while JT International added 11 sen to RM6.69.

Iris Corp was the most actively traded counter with 49.75 million shares done. The stock added 1.5 sen to 19.5 sen.

Other actives included HWGB, Digistar, Olmypia, Tanco, Karambunai, Perisai and ManagePay Systems.

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