and Petronas-linked stocks enabled the FBM KLCI to close a shade higher on Monday in very volatile trade but the broader market weakened with over 1,000 counters in the red.
Malaysia recorded 4,446 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, bringing the cumulative total to 474,556, according to the Health Ministry. Selangor has the highest number of infections at 1,650 followed by Sarawak and Johor . Among the banks, Public Bank was up by 12 sen to RM4.26, Maybank nine sen to RM8.30, CIMB seven sen to RM4.25 but HL Bank shed eight sen to RM17.62.
Among the plantations, KL Kepong lost 54 sen to RN21.96, PPB 16 sen to RM18.50, Sime Plantation six sen to RM4.50 while IOI Corp gave up five sen to RM4.07. Chip and tech stocks were among the top losers, with MPI and UWC slumping 40 sen to RM35.80 and RM5 while Unisem lost 25 sen to RM6.90 and Greatec 23 sen to RM4.97.
The CSI 300 Index closed 1.5% higher, extending gains from Friday to 3.9%. The benchmark traded up to session highs following official monthly data showing that economic activity moderated in April - a development that analysts say could result in sustaining government support and tame fears over tightening liquidity.