Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Lack of fresh leads keeps FBM KLCI muted

KUALA LUMPUR: ''The FBM KLCI fell in early trade on Wednesday, March 23 in line with most key regional markets following the weaker overnight close at Wall Street with the escalation of military assault on Libya following a UN-sanctioned no-fly zone over the country that the United States and European countries are enforcing, with some Arab support.

The Nikkei shed nearly 2%, and oil ticked up as investors fretted about the possible repercussions of a nuclear crisis in Japan, violence in Libya and unrest in the Middle East, according to Reuters.

The FBM KLCI slipped 0.54 of a point to 1,508.56 at mid-morning.

Gainers led losers by 204 to 148, while 210 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 263.86 million shares valued at RM190.03 million.

At the regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.6% to 9,455.06, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.42% to 22,762.39, South Korea's Kospi lost 0.12% to 2,011.22 and Taiwan's Taiex shed 0.05% to 8,503.96.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Straits Times Index added 0.34% to 3,013.08 and the Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.14% to 2,923.28.

BIMB Securities Research Wall Street took a breather yesterday as investors locked in profit at the back of a standstill situation in Japan and Libya.

With no catalyst ahead, there was not much to harp on except the brewing situation in these two countries, it said.

'As the situation could either go any side, worsening or improving, investors prefer to observe the situation first.

'As for the regional and local equity market sentiment today, lack of catalyst could drive a profit taking activity today. Hence, expect these markets to close in mild downside momentum today,' it said in a note March 23.

On Bursa Malaysia, the top loser at mid-morning was Nestle that fell RM1.40 to RM44.88; Nilai fell 28 sen to 60 sen, Lion Forest Industries down nine sen to RM1.66, Paos 8.5 sen to 65 sen, LTKM seven sen to RM1.80, Perak Corp six sen to RM1.37, while Weida and Tradewinds fell four sen each to RM1.04 and RM7.72.

Among the gainers, United PLANTATION []s rose 70 sen to RM17.40, Lysaght 18 sen to RM2.15, Ekovest 14 sen to RM3.92, Ta Ann eight sen to RM5.98, while Jaya Tiasa and Bursa added six sen each to RM5.45 and RM8.04.

Ramunia shares and warrants were actively trade. It shares rose four sen to 61 sen while its warrants added 3.5 sen to 4.15 sen.

Other actives included KUB, Perisai, Time, Benalec and Jotech.

No comments:

Post a Comment