Bursa Malaysia closed lower as selling pressure across mid cap and small cap stocks weighed on overall market sentiment, despite the benchmark FBM KLCI finishing largely unchanged.
The FBM KLCI edged down 0.41 points, or 0.02%, to close at 1,712.33 after moving between an intraday high of 1,712.33 and a low of 1,704.64. Blue chip stocks were mixed, helping to limit losses at the headline index level.
However, broader market indices saw steeper declines. The FBM 70 slid 162.85 points, or 0.92%, to 17,522.76, while the FBM EMAS Index fell 33.49 points to 12,611.54. The FBM Small Cap Index dropped 62.13 points, or 0.51%, reflecting continued risk off sentiment among retail and short term traders.
The FBM 4G Benchmark Index also ended lower, down 2.50 points to 1,015.73.
Trading activity was dominated by heavily traded penny and recovery stocks. Smart Asia Chemical Bhd emerged as the most active counter, falling 26 sen to 18.5 sen after swinging between 33 sen and 15.5 sen, with more than 2.39 billion shares changing hands.
Capital A Bhd declined four sen to 50.5 sen, while IJM Corp Bhd fell 15 sen to RM2.65 amid persistent selling in construction related counters. Zetrix AI Bhd eased one sen to 80.5 sen, while AirAsia X Bhd slipped two sen to RM1.65.
Overall, market sentiment remained cautious as investors rotated away from smaller capitalisation stocks, with defensive buying in select heavyweights helping to cushion losses at the benchmark level.
