Monday, December 5, 2011

KLCI closes higher but gains limited on cautious sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5): The FBM KLCI rose marginally higher on Monday as Asian markets closed mixed, with sentiment lifted by Italy's unveiling of austerity steps, and expectations Ireland will do the same in a new budget to be announced later in the day.

World stocks and demand for German government bonds rose on Monday as confidence grew European leaders would make big strides in solving the euro zone's debt crisis at a crucial summit this week, according to Reuters.

The FBM KLCI gained 0.93 point to close at 1,489.95.

Gainers led losers by 407 to 337, while 303 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.33 billion shares valued at RM1.33 billion.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.73% to 19,179.69, Japan's Nikkei 225 added 0.60% to 8,695.98 and South Korea's Kospi rose 0.36% to 1,922.90.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.16% to 2,333.23, Taiwan's Taiex lost 0.60% to 7,098.08 and Singapore's Straits Times Index shed 0.26% to 2,766.23.

On Bursa Malaysia, shares of automotive players PROTON HOLDINGS BHD [] and DRB-HICOM BHD [] rose after the Edge weekly reported that state investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd was likely to ask for proposals''from interested parties for its stake in the carmaker.

Citing industry sources, the Edge said Khazanah had made overtures and put out feelers to the market, seeking proposals from existing car players on a business plan with regard to Proton.

Khazanah is the largest shareholder in the national car company with a 42.74% stake.

Proton was up 89 sen to RM4.50 while DRB-Hicom added 20 sen to RM2.20.

Other gainers included BAT that rose RM1 to RM48.10, Nestle 60 sen to RM53.20, CBIP 28 sen to RM4.63, United PLANTATION []s and Toyo Ink 26 sen each to RM18.36 and RM1.86, Tradewinds Plantations 25 sen to RM4.42 and Batu Kawan 22 sen to RM17.10.

Among the losers, IJM Corp fell 21 sen to RM5.57, Manulife 19 sen to RM2.90, HELP and Parkson 16 sen each to RM1.62 and RM5.68, sime 14 sen to RM8.98, Petronas Dagangan 10 sen to RM17.20, Bursa and MAHB nine sen each to RM6.60 and RM6.06, while RHB Capital lost eight sen to RM7.35.

The actives included Proton, Sanichi, DRB-Hicom, Compugates and DPS Resources.

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