Kuala Lumpur, January 11 – Bursa Malaysia ended in positive territory on Wednesday with the bell-weathered index, FBM KLCI rose 2.74 points or +0.18% at 1,487.87. The index was supported by solid gains in the energy and tech sectors, also contributing to the positive momentum is the encouraging performance of regional market.
Most Asian bourses ended higher ahead of the release U.S. consumer price index. It is expected this shall set the tone of the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes trajectory for 2023 after raising rates seven times in 2022.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index, led the gains among the peers, by advancing 1.03% higher at 26,446.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index continued its gaining streak by advancing 104.59 points or +0.49% at 21,436.05, albeit the gains were narrowed towards the end of the trading day, as investors were taking profit from the recent rally.
Interestingly, Korea’s Kospi moved higher by 0.35% to 2,359.53 even though its unemployment rate for December rose to 3.3% compared to November’s 2.9%, marking the highest in 11 months.
Australia’s consumer price index recorded an increase of 7.3% year-on-year in November, its S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.90% to close at 7,195.3.
** The FTSE BM KLCI opened at 1,487.04. The index fluctuated between 1,484.21 – 1,488.68
** 573 counters are gainers, 390 counters are unchanged, while 340 counters are decliners.
** Total volume of 3.576 billion shares changed hands; while Turnover of RM 2.176 billion
** The Top 5 Gainers: F&N (23.38, +1.24); DIN04000023 (101.50, +0.60); MPI (31.60, +0.38); IMASPRO (5.70, +0.36); HLFG (18.86, +0.28)
** The Top 5 Losers: HEXTECH (26.30, -2.58); MAYBANKC98 (0.105, -0.235); A50CHIN-H75 (0.295, -0.175); TENAGA (9.40, -0.13); DJIA-H5 (0.49, -0.11)
** The Top 5 Active: HONGSENG-WB (0.015, 0.00); ZENTECH-OR (0.015, +0.005); DNEX (0.56, +0.055); CITAGLB (0.32, -0.03); HSI-CJ5 (0.34, +0.025)
Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) inched up 7.18 points or +0.22% to 3,270.09; Hong Kong’s HSI gained 104.59 points or +0.49% at 21,436.05; Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 270.44 points or +1.03% at 26,446.00; Shanghai’s SSE Composite Index declined 7.67 points or -0.24% at 3,161.84; Korea’s Kospi Index up 8.22 points or +0.35% at 2,359.53; Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index added 64.30 points or +0.9% at 7,195.30.
