Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia's benchmark index ended the trading day lower, reversing the gains seen yesterday. This downturn was primarily attributed to profit-taking activities, as selling in selected heavyweight stocks intensified during the last two hours of trading. Investors exhibited caution despite generally positive performances across regional markets.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, at 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined by 3.93 points, or 0.24 percent, closing at 1,619.96, down from the previous day's close of 1,623.89. The benchmark index had initially opened 4.55 points higher at 1,628.44, fluctuating between 1,619.26 and 1,629.69 throughout the session.

On the broader market, there were 692 gainers compared to 452 decliners, with 547 counters remaining unchanged. Additionally, 1,095 counters were untraded and 10 were suspended. Turnover slightly increased to 4.70 billion units worth RM2.94 billion, compared to 4.64 billion units worth RM2.96 billion the previous day.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd's vice-president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng, noted that investors are closely monitoring the release of the delayed US September jobs report, postponed due to the government shutdown. The report is expected to be released today. Domestically, the benchmark index reversed earlier gains as investor interest shifted towards mid and small-cap stocks.

Thong Pak Leng also mentioned that the overall market continues to show strength, supported by robust market volume over recent sessions. This trend indicates a gradual return of investors to the local market. He anticipates the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,620-1,635 towards the weekend.

Among the heavyweights, Maybank dropped three sen to RM9.90, CIMB and Tenaga Nasional fell four sen to RM7.53 and RM13.14, respectively, and IHH Healthcare decreased by 12 sen to RM8.13. Conversely, Public Bank rose by two sen to RM4.30.

On the most active list, V.S. Industry and Perak Transit eased by half-a-sen to 44 sen and 28 sen, respectively. Aquawalk slid 2.5 sen to 35.5 sen, while Zetrix AI increased by one sen to 85.5 sen, and Tanco was two sen higher at RM1.03.

Among the top gainers, Nestle advanced RM1 to RM113.30, BLD Plantation gained 52 sen to RM13.30, Petronas Dagangan rose 36 sen to RM21.48, while Chin Teck Plantations and United Plantations increased by 30 sen to RM10.86 and RM28.30, respectively. Meanwhile, PPB slipped 46 sen to RM11.14, Kuala Lumpur Kepong edged down 20 sen to RM20.60, Sunway Construction dipped 13 sen to RM5.73, and AmBank and Mesiniaga slid 10 sen to RM5.73 and RM1.20, respectively.

On the index board, the FBMT 100 Index shed 2.45 points to 11,797.29, while the FBM Emas Index improved by 5.71 points to 12,031.01. The FBM Emas Shariah Index increased by 10.33 points to 12,024.63. The FBM ACE Index rose 50.81 points to 4,973.56, and the FBM Mid 70 Index soared 110.38 points to 16,922.78.

Sector-wise, the Plantation Index gained 0.67 of-a-point to 8,226.20, the Industrial Products and Services Index rose 1.07 points to 166.40, while the Financial Services Index declined 20.68 points to 18,423.38, and the Energy Index trimmed 1.40 points to 757.29.

The Main Market volume increased to 1.53 billion units valued at RM2.29 billion, compared to 1.46 billion units valued at RM2.34 billion on Wednesday. Warrants turnover expanded to 2.71 billion units worth RM488.20 million from 2.47 billion units worth RM394.73 million yesterday. The ACE Market volume shrank to 457.42 million units valued at RM162.05 million, against 711.02 million units valued at RM232.33 million previously.

Consumer products and services counters accounted for 416.85 million shares traded on the Main Market. Other sectors included industrial products and services (261.50 million), construction (101.20 million), technology (237.04 million), financial services (71.34 million), property (133.51 million), plantation (59.33 million), real estate investment trusts (19.86 million), closed-end fund (24,400), energy (82.25 million), healthcare (59.82 million), telecommunications and media (35.35 million), transportation and logistics (35.73 million), utilities (24.72 million), and business trusts (79,000).