KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia extended its downtrend in morning trading session and closed lower at midday due to profit taking activities mainly in financial services and plantation stocks.
At 12.30pm, FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI dropped 0.51 per cent or 8.12 points to 1,591.67 versus Wednesday's close of 1,599.79.
The key index opened at 1,596.27 and hit the lowest level at 1.590.37 in morning trade.
The broader market saw losers led gainers 772 to 286 while 425 counters were unchanged.
The index board was a sea of red as well.
FBM100 lost 0.42 per cent to 11,817.83, FBM Emas shed 0.42 per cent to 12,239.80 and FBM Ace tumbled 0.24 per cent to 5,782.48.
Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd emerged as top gainers, adding 36 sen to RM32.
On the losing end, Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd lost RM1.20 to RM122.80.