KUALA LUMPUR – Bursa Malaysia extended yesterday’s losses to open lower today as investor sentiment remained bearish after an overnight fall on Wall Street.
At 9.05am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) stood at 1,603.22, down 1.39 from yesterday’s close of 1,604.61.
The barometer index opened 0.74 of-a-point easier at 1,603.87.
Market breadth was negative with losers leading gainers 270 to 96, while 216 counters were unchanged, 1,671 untraded and 12 others suspended.
Total turnover stood at 232.23 million worth RM85.87 million.
Meanwhile, the ringgit extended yesterday’s downtrend to open lower against the US dollar as positive greenback sentiment curbed demand for the local currency, dealers said.
At 9am, the local note eased to 4.2375/2410 versus the US dollar from yesterday’s close of 4.2290/2320.
A dealer said the greenback strengthened as the 10-year bond yields spiked to a fresh three-year high ahead of the US Consumer Price Index data later this week.
“This somewhat shows that the markets have taken into account the continuation of a hike in inflation, thus indirectly slashing risk appetite for other currencies, including the emerging,” he said.
The dealer said an extended lockdown in China has also weighed on investor sentiment as it fanned worries that the latest development could slow down global economic growth.
Meanwhile, the ringgit was traded mixed against a basket of major currencies.
It fell against the Singapore dollar to 3.1024/1054 from 3.1004/1031 on Monday and weakened versus the Japanese yen to 3.3776/3806 from 3.3738/3764.
The local unit, however, appreciated vis-à-vis the British pound to 5.5147/5192 from 5.5201/5240 and rose against the euro to 4.6074/6112 from 4.6210/6243 previously. – Bernama, April 12, 2022
