Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Asian markets wobbly, KLCI above 1,500

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI edged above the 1,500-level at the mid-day break on Wednesday, Aug 17, with PLANTATION []s among the gainers, but trading remained cautious ahead of the second quarter gross domestic product and July consumer price index data due out later.

Regional markets were mixed as Japanese shares fell on Wednesday, dragged down mainly by hi-tech firms, while the euro wobbled after French and German leaders failed to deliver a solution to the euro zone debt crisis and restore investor confidence after a global market rout, according to Reuters.

Electronics stocks were weak across Asia after computer maker Dell slashed its 2012 sales forecast late on Tuesday, a deeply bearish signal not only for the shaky state of global demand but for other hi-tech manufacturers, many of which are listed in Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei, it said.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI gained 3.86 points to 1,502.10. Gainers edged losers by 313 to 246, while 262 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 412.58 million shares valued at RM584.83 million.

The ringgit strengthened 0.05% to 2.9801 versus the US dollar; crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM7 per tonne to RM3,009, crude oil added 67 cents to US$87.32 while gold eased 98 cents per troy ounce to US$1,784.72.

At the regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 0.52% to 9,060.46, Taiwan's Taiex fell 0.58% to 7,753.18 and the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.04% to 2,607.25.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.94% to 20,402.95, Singapore's Straits Times Index up 0.48% to 2,846.38 and South Korea's Kospi added 0.39% to 1,887.17.

On Bursa Malaysia, KLK rose 38 sen to RM21.48 after posting a strong set of earnings, PPB gained 32 sen to RM17.12 while Batu Kawan added 14 sen to RM16.

Sindora jumped 27 sen to RM2.92, just below the RM3 offer made by its major shareholder Kulim. Allianz gained 20 sen to RM4.90, Kenmark 18 sen to RM1.25, Shell 16 sen to RM10.28 while Mudajaya and Catcha Media added 14 sen each to RM2.92 and 85 sen.

Among decliners, BAT lost 42 sen to RM43.70, loss-making Theta 17.5 sen to 42 sen, Malayan Flour Mills nine sen to RM7.60, Sunchirin eight sen to RM1.50, while KFCH, Pensonic and JT International fell seven sen each to RM3.90, 53 sen and RM6.83 respectively.

Eduspec was the most actively traded counter with 21.86 million shares done. The stock was unchanged at 12.5 sen.

Other actives included DVM, Axiata, Sanichi, Talam, Dialog, AirAsia and'' Catcha Media.

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