Kuala Lumpur, December 21 – Bursa Malaysia dipped lower on Wednesday with the benchmark index, FBM KLCI ceded 4.77 points or -0.33% at 1,462.55.
Meanwhile, Asian stock markets closed mixed as investors gauged the implications of a surprise policy shift by the Bank of Japan,
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index extending its losses to an over two-month low. It was the worst performer in Asia for a second consecutive session, declining 0.68% to 26,387.72.
The BOJ widened the range within which the yields on the benchmark government bonds are allowed to fluctuate, heralding a potential pivot away from the central bank’s ultra-dovish policy. This bodes poorly for Japanese stock markets.
In the near-term, it is expected to have volatility in Chinese markets as the country grapples with increasing infections. Hence, the uncertainty over the China coupled with hawkish central banks stance could trigger a recession in 2023 – has dented the chances of an end-year rally in Asian stocks.
** The FTSE BM KLCI opened at 1,467.01. The index fluctuated between 1,458.82 – 1,469.42.
** 357 counters are gainers, 414 counters are unchanged, while 502 counters are decliners.
** Total volume of 2.913 billion shares changed hands; while Turnover of RM 1.714 billion
** The Top 5 Gainers: HEIM (25.56, +0.56); KEINHIN (2.05, +0.31); ALLIANZ-PA (14.18, +0.26); PERSTIM (4.60, +0.23); PPB (17.38, +0.20)
** The Top 5 Losers: MPI (29.34, -1.22); F&N (21.02, -0.58); PETGAS (16.30, -0.34); KLK (21.26, -0.24); TM (5.10, -0.20)
** The Top 5 Active: CITAGLB (0.29, +0.015); ASB (0.18, -0.005); UNIQUE (0.245, +0.015); NYLEX (0.375, +0.055); JAKS (0.24, -0.04)
Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) down 3.47 points or -0.11% to 3,253.14; Hong Kong’s HSI slid 258.01 points or -1.33% at 19,094.80; Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index nosedived 669.61 points or -2.46% at 26,568.03; Shanghai’s SSE Composite Index shed 33.35 points or -1.07% at 3,073.77; Korea’s Kospi Index dropped 18.88 points or -0.80% at 2,333.29; Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index ceded 109.60 points or -1.54% at 7,024.30.
