THE benchmark index on Bursa Malaysia ended the morning trading session mixed today, with continuous buying interest seen in heavyweight counters but selling pressure weighed on lower liners.

At the lunch break, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) added 0.80 of-a-point to 1,491.98, compared to last Friday’s close of 1,491.18.

The key index opened 0.85 of-a-point better at 1,492.03, subsequently moving between 1,486.79 and 1,494.81 throughout the session.

On the broader market, decliners beat gainers 491 to 267, while 357 counters were unchanged, 1,171 untraded and 19 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 1.25 billion units worth RM621.91 million.

Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said investors are keeping an eye on the European Central Bank’s and Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) interest-rate decisions this week.

“Sector-wise, the technology sector might see further selling pressure amid persistent downtrends on Wall Street and Nasdaq,” the brokerage said in a research note.

The energy sector may also swing lower given that the price of crude oil has remained below US$100 (RM448.90).

“Investors may turn their focus to the banking sector ahead of BNM’s interest rate decision. The consumer sector, utility, telco and real estate investment trust sectors can provide stability in the current market rout,” it added.

Meanwhile, Bursa heavyweights Malayan Banking Bhd and Public Bank Bhd added one sen to RM8.94 and RM4.68 respectively, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd rose two sen to RM8.79, IHH Healthcare Bhd gained six sen to RM6.21, while CIMB Group Holdings Bhd lost one sen to RM5.49.

Of the actives, Vortex Consolidated Bhd, Focus Dynamics Technologies Bhd and Aimflex Bhd stayed flat at 16.5 sen, two sen and 12.5 sen respectively, while SNS Network Technology Bhd eased half a point to 26 sen, and Jade Marvel Group Bhd added one sen to 27.5 sen.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index was 11.76 points firmer at 10,567.29, the FBM T100 Index gained 14.02 points to 10,323.79, the FBM Emas Shariah Index improved 6.72 points to 10,606.35 and the FBM 70 widened 51.21 points to 12,612.36, while the FBM ACE reduced 40.17 points to 4,766.51.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index went up 20.52 points to 16,784.53 and the Plantation Index earned 38.97 points to 6,996.81, the Energy Index went up 4.32 points to 701.39 while the Industrial Products and Services Index grew 0.83 of-a-point to 181.05. — Bernama / pic by TMR