KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia stayed in the negative territory at midday, pressured by ongoing selling in key heavyweights, particularly within the financial services and utilities sectors.
At 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 4.04 points or 0.25 per cent to 1,598.30 from yesterday's close of 1,602.34.
The benchmark index started 0.54 points higher at 1,602.88 and fluctuated between 1,594.51 and 1,606.28 during the morning trading session.
On the broader market, losers led gainers 539 to 316, while 483 counters remained unchanged.
Turnover was at 1.61 billion shares valued at RM1.18 billion.
Malacca Securities Research said looking ahead, traders will monitor several key events including China's loan prime rate decisions, UK's October consumer price index (CPI), US crude oil inventory levels, and the initial jobless claims in the US.
The firm noted that it remains optimistic about local export-oriented segments, particularly technology and glove.
"This is in line with the US dollar remaining elevated, coupled with potential tariffs from the Trump administration," it said in a note today.
Meanwhile, the firm also favours the construction, property, and building materials sectors, supported by increased data centre investments that could drive earnings momentum this season.
In the tourism sector, it expects rising momentum in both AirAsia X Bhd and Capital A Bhd.