The broader stock market breadth ended on a cautious note on Aug 20, with declining counters outnumbering gainers despite pockets of strength in YTL-linked stocks and selected heavyweights.
Market breadth tilted negative as 610 counters fell against 577 gainers, while 610 stocks were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 16 suspended.
Trading activity, however, remained robust, as turnover climbed to 4.28 billion units worth RM4.01 billion, from 3.31 billion units valued at RM2.92 billion on Aug 19.
Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd led the decliners, falling 80 sen to RM45.30. Hong Leong Industries Bhd shed 38 sen to RM17.58, while Petronas Chemicals Group declined 32 sen to RM4.37, with about 14.37 million shares traded.
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd fell 26 sen to RM31.68, while Ayer Holdings Bhd lost 20 sen to RM7.30.
The wider spread of losses underscored the softer underlying tone despite gains among selected large-cap counters.
On the upside, Nestle (M) Bhd topped the gainers list, rising 80 sen to RM104.80. Bucking the trend were also YTL Power International Bhd, which advanced 28 sen to RM5.16, while YTL Corporation Bhd gained 21 sen to RM2.43.
MN Holdings Bhd climbed 25 sen to RM3.64, while PPB Group Bhd added 22 sen to RM9.90.
Despite these pockets of strength, the overall market remained mixed-to-cautious, with the higher number of declining counters signalling that buying interest was not broad-based across Bursa Malaysia.
