KUALA LUMPUR: Persistent profit-taking in selected plantation and financial services counters resulted in Bursa Malaysia ending at an intraday low yesterday, amid mixed sentiments on the regional stock markets.

At 5pm, the FBM KLCI slipped 15.53 points to 1,447.98 from 1,463.51 at Wednesday’s close.

The barometer index opened 2.90 points easier at 1,460.61 and moved slightly up to 1,460.76 during the day.

On the broader market, decliners overwhelmed gainers 607 to 355 while 429 counters were unchanged, 949 untraded and 16 others suspended.

Turnover widened to 4.34 billion units worth RM2.56bil from 3.62 billion units worth RM2.21bil on Wednesday.

Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd were the top two contributors towards the local benchmark index’s downtrend, losing 14 sen and nine sen to RM4.31 and RM5.64, respectively, with a combined contribution of 3.77 points.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI ended lower due to profit-taking activities following the recent rally.

“Key regional indices are also in the red following negative cues from global markets overnight after the release of minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee whereby investors are worried about the potential of the United States raising interest rates,” he told Bernama.

Back home, he said yesterday’s selldown is a healthy correction and will provide buying opportunities for investors, given the cheaper valuations on Bursa Malaysia compared to other regional markets.