Stocks on Bursa Malaysia closed higher yesterday, propped up by buying sentiment as traders took the opportunity of the market’s weakness amid expectation of a further monetary stimulus in China. Asian shares advanced as investors focused on hopes of a further stimulus from Beijing to prevent a sharper slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy. At close, the benchmark FBM KLCI rose 4.41 points or 0.25% to 1,803.02, after hovering between 1,795.16 and 1,803.68 throughout the day. Gainers led losers 420 to 355, with 323 counters unchanged. Total volume was slightly higher at 1.68 billion units worth RM2 billion from 1.62 billion units worth RM1.7 billion on Tuesday.

Stocks on Bursa Malaysia ended lower yesterday on lack of investor participation despite the announcement of a gradual corporate tax reduction by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, as investors remained on the sidelines pending first-quarter corporate earnings announcements. The FBM KLCI fell 6.88 points or 0.38% to close at 1,798.61, after hovering between 1,797.01 and 1,802.54 throughout the day. Losers thrashed gainers by 576 to 240, with 319 counters unchanged. Total volume was slightly higher at 1.62 billion units worth RM1.7 billion from Monday’s 1.54 billion units worth RM1.6 billion.

Stocks on Bursa Malaysia closed lower yesterday with the benchmark FBM KLCI fell into negative territory at close, weighed down by losses in Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and plantation-related counters. Losses on TNB and plantation-related counters eclipsed China’s stimulus news which had lifted regional market sentiment. China cut its interest rate for the third time in six months to bolster its flagging economy. Investors also remained cautious ahead of the euro zone finance ministers’ meeting scheduled for later of yesterday to discuss the directions of debt-laden Greece. At close, the FBM KLCI was 2.16 points or 0.12% lower at 1,805.49, after fluctuating between 1,803.57 and 1,814.24. Losers led gainers by 484 to 342, with 337 counters unchanged. Total volume was slightly higher at 1.54 billion units worth RM1.6 billion from Friday’s 1.52 billion units worth RM1.93 billion.

Stocks on Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher last Friday with the benchmark FBM KLCI closed slightly higher, lifted by sustained buying momentum in heavyweights, led by Maybank and Sime Darby, in line with its regional peers due to a stabilising global bond market. At close, the FBM KLCI was 2.55 points or 0.14% higher at 1,807.65, after fluctuating between 1,805.35 and 1,814.28 throughout the day. On a weekly basis, the FBM KLCI fell 10.62 points from 1,818.27 on previous Thursday. Gainers led losers 461 to 315, with 325 counters unchanged. Total volume was slightly lower at 1.52 billion shares worth RM1.93 billion from Thursday’s 1.55 billion shares worth RM1.97 billion. Weekly turnover for the four trading day week declined to 6.81 billion units, worth RM7.63 billion, from 7.40 billion units, worth RM8.27 billion, recorded the previous week.