THE benchmark index on Bursa Malaysia turned negative at mid-morning with the sentiment cautious, in line with most regional bourses as concerns over interest rates persisted ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole meeting in Wyoming in the US.

At 11am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) erased 7.45 points to 1,475.12 from Tuesday’s closing of 1,482.57. 

On the broader market, decliners outnumbered gainers 382 to 285, while 342 counters were unchanged, 1,323 untraded and seven others suspended. Turnover stood at 1.22 billion units valued at RM546.64 million.

Among the heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd lost one sen to RM8.82, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd dropped 10 sen to RM8.46, IHH Healthcare Bhd was 15 sen easier at RM6.19 while Public Bank Bhd was flat at RM4.60. 

Of the actives, Techna-X Bhd was one sen better at 4.5 sen, Euro Holdings Bhd shed half-a-sen to 12.5 sen, Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd reduced 2.5 sen to 5.5 sen, and Green Packet Bhd was flat at 5.5 sen.

On the index board, the FBM ACE rose 18.84 points to 4,910.64 and the FBM 70 advanced 2.29 points to 12,634.16.

However, the FBM Emas Index was 36.97 points easier at 10,495.99 and the FBM T100 Index fell 39.12 points to 10,238.41. The FBM Emas Shariah Index eased 75.05 points to 10,573.57.

Sector-wise, the Energy Index shaved 0.7 of-a-point to 712.18 while the Financial Services Index added 15.99 points to 16,554.58, the Plantation Index shed 69.79 points to 6,990.06 and the Industrial Products and Services Index eased 0.39 of-a-point to 180.03. — Bernama / Pic by TMR FILE