KUALA LUMPUR: Stock prices on the Bursa Malaysia took another beating Thursday. Investor confidence has been battered by a confluence of negative developments of late. We do not expect trading conditions to improve in the near term.
Domestic political uncertainties continue to weigh on the market following the Sabah Progressive Party's (SPP) unprecedented move to table a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister. It did not help sentiment when Wall Street tumbled overnight.
US stocks were rattled by persistent worries over its flagging economy and fallout from the subprime crisis. A weaker US economy would, in turn, spell tougher times ahead for export-oriented Asian countries. Equity markets in the region saw heavy selling Thursday with most of the relevant bellwether indices closing sharply lower.
At the same time, stubbornly high crude oil prices are compounding concerns by fuelling inflation. Crude oil futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange is currently hovering around US$136 (RM448.80) per barrel despite suggestions of reduced demand on slower global economic growth.
The KLSE Composite Index opened sharply lower and remained in the red for the rest of the trading day. The closely monitored benchmark index closed 16 points lower at 1,196.4 points. This brings the index's total loss to nearly 42 points for the past three days. Sharp losses in select blue chip stocks may suggest some bargain hunting, but we suspect buying activities will be tempered by extreme caution.
Market breadth was negative throughout the day. At the close, the number of losing stocks outpaced gaining ones by roughly eleven to two. KL Kepong was the day's biggest loser. The stock fell 80 sen to RM17.40. Other big losers include Bumiputra Commerce, Public Bank, Tanjong plc and Batu Kawan. About 500 million shares changed hands. Some of the most heavily traded counters were Genting, Gamuda, Resorts World, IOI Corp and Telekom Malaysia.
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