The FBM KLCI, which had been holding onto early gains throughout the morning, turned negative by the lunch break, cutting short hopes for a sustained China-driven rally.
By 12.30pm, trading was halted with the FBM KLCI down 2.98 points at 1,667.39. The index fluctuated within a 9.5-point range from 1,666.28 to 1,675.73.
Heavy profit-taking in blue chips pressured the market, with 663 decliners outpacing 388 gainers. Overall, 2.03 billion shares worth RM1.53 billion were traded.
