KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the day with a minor decline in the midst of a mixed performance by regional markets.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dropped 2.70 points to 1,439.20 from last Friday's closing of 1,441.90.
The key index began the day at 1,440.04, experienced a slight 1.86-point drop, and fluctuated within the range of 1,436.98 to 1,441.80 throughout the entire day.
On the broader market, decliners outnumbered gainers 624 to 238, while 416 counters were unchanged.
Turnover rose to 2.80 billion units, totaling RM1.51 billion in value, up from 2.72 billion units valued at RM1.69 billion on the previous Friday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said suggested that investors remain cautious due to the escalating global volatility and uncertainties.
He said while the valuation of the benchmark index is undemanding, bargain hunting may emerge anytime soon.
"We anticipate the FBM KLCI to remain in consolidation mode for the time being and trend within the range of 1,430-1,450 for the week with immediate resistance at 1,445 while support at 1,430," he told Business Times.
Adding further, Thong said key regional indices finished mixed as sentiment remains cautious as investors prepared for a data-packed week, with the Federal Reserve taking the spotlight while Japanese market faced substantial pressure due to the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the impending Bank of Japan meeting.
He also noted that the appetite for risk remained subdued following Israel's extensive offensive in Gaza over the weekend.
