KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed lower reflecting a broader global sell-off.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 0.11 per cent or 1.90 points to 1,606.85 from last Friday's close of 1,608.75.
The index opened 0.13 points higher at 1,608.88 and fluctuated between 1,603.92 and 1,609.43 throughout the trading day.
On the broader market, losers outnumbered gainers 624 to 335, while 472 counters were unchanged.
Turnover rose to 3.16 billion units worth RM2.45 billion versus 2.79 billion units valued at RM2.40 billion last Friday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said Malaysian equities continue to provide investment opportunities driven by their undervalued status, stronger corporate earnings and improving economic condition.
"That said, the benchmark index is expected to stay in a consolidation phase in the near term, reflecting cautious trading amidst rising global uncertainties. "As such we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,595-1,615 for the week," he told Business Times.
Regionally, Thong said investors were cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) expected 25-basis-point interest rate cut on Wednesday, as concerns over persistent inflation clouded the Fed's long-term rate outlook.
He added that November data revealed that China's industrial production expanded as expected, supported by recent stimulus measures to boost business activity.
"Meanwhile, weaker-than-expected retail sales pointed to ongoing struggles in consumer spending," he said.