KUALA LUMPUR: Stock prices on Bursa Malaysia closed broadly lower on Tuesday on very low volume, as investors continued to exercise caution in the wake of rising fuel costs, inflationary pressures and the impact on the broader economy.
External concerns remain uncertain, with Wall Street and crude oil exhibiting high levels of volatility in recent days as investors react to the prospect of higher inflation and likely interest rate hikes in a slowing economy. On Monday, the price of crude oil fluctuated within a band of US$7 (RM23.10). It rose to a new intra-day record of US$139.89 per barrel, before settling at US$134.61.
The sharp movements in oil prices also sent Wall Street gyrating as well. The KLCI took its lead from the fall on Wall Street, opening lower and staying in negative territory throughput the day. The index started off unchanged and soon slipped into negative territory, where it stayed for the rest of the day. The KLCI ended 10 points lower at 1,227.8 points.
Declining stocks beat advancing ones by a seven to four ratio. More tellingly, trading volume dropped to just 313 million shares, from 387 million on Monday. This was its lowest daily trading volume to date as investors remained cautious.
Volume leaders on Tuesday comprised mostly blue chips such as IOI Corp, TM, Sime Darby, Maybank and Gamuda. Gainers include palm oil stocks like PPB, SOP and KL Kepong, as well as Takaful. Losers include BAT, KNM, Tenaga Nasional and Bumiputra-Commerce.
Meanwhile, adverse global weather conditions, particularly flooding in the US mid-west, are also affecting crops and raising agricultural prices, particularly corn and soybean. The price of corn, for instance rose to record high of US$8 per bushel on Monday. Firmer prices of the soybean complex and in particular soyoil will help palm oil, which will be positive for palm oil stocks.
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