KLCI off record intra-day high

KUALA LUMPUR: Blue chips closed off their day's best on Monday, with
the FBM KLCI just managing to close barely higher, after hitting an
all-time intra-day high of 1,611.50 earlier, as key regional markets
and European bourses sank into the red.
It was a disappointment
for investors who had hoped the KLCI could hold on to its gains, as
external worries from Europe and the retreat by key regional markets
were too much for the local bourse.
At the close, the FBM KLCI
was up just 0.05 of a point to 1,603.12. Turnover was 1.07 billion
shares valued at RM1.25bil. The broader market was mixed with 371
gainers, 360 losers and 337 counters unchanged.
Bloomberg
reported European stocks fell declined for a third day as European
Union leaders prepare for this week's summit in Brussels. U.S. index
futures and Asian shares retreated.
News report also said that Spain formally requested on Monday European aid of up to 100 billion euros for its banks.
All
the key regional markets were in the red. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.72%
to 8,734.62; Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index 0.51% to 18,897.45; Shanghai's
Composite Index 1.63% to 2,224.11; Taiwan's Taiex 0.77% to 7,166.38;
South Korea's Kospi 1.19% to 1,825.38 and Singapore's Straits Times
Index 0.45% to 2,815.26.
All the main European markets were in the red, with the broader Euro Stoxx down 1.62% to 2,151.34.
US
light crude oil fell 57 cents to US$79.19 and Brent 80 cents lower at
US$90.18. Spot gold fell 0.19% or US$3.06 to US$1,569.36. The ringgit
weakened against the US dollar to 3,1953, the lowest since June 5.
Crude palm oil third-month futures rose RM73 to RM3,026.
At Bursa Malaysia, two counters, which hit limit-up, were Prestariang and Apex Equity Holdings.
Prestariang
hit limit-up at RM1.31 after it announced about its foray into higher
education. By the close, it was up 22 sen to RM1.23 with 12.46 million
shares done.
Apex, which was queried by Bursa Securities after
it hit limit-up at RM1.25, ended the day off the day's best. It closed
up 20 sen to RM1.15.
Among the index-linked stocks, UMW rose nine sen to RM9.02, pushing the KLCI up 0.25 of a point. Tenaga and Maxis added six sen each to RM6.76 and RM6.45 while Public Bank, Telekom and KLK gained four sen each to RM13.80, RM5.73 and RM23.10 respectively.
Pharmaniaga was the top gainer, up 80 sen to RM9.80.
Luster
was the most active with 166.49 million shares done, slipping 3.5 sen
to 15 sen. The warrants lost two sen to 10.5 sen with 47.47 million
units done.
BAT was the top loser, down RM1 to RM55, dragging
the KLCI down 0.45 of a point. Dutch Lady shed 60 sen to RM35.90,
Genting fell eight sen to RM9.54 and IOI seven sen to RM5.21.
Takaful and BIMB snapped their recent upward trend. Takaful lost 24 sen to RM5.88 and BIMB 17 sen to RM3.03.