KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI retreated for the fourth straight session amid a weak sentiment as the key index succumbed to the extended profit taking activities.

       The market bellwether closed down 1.48 points, or 0.1% to 1, 530.15 after moving between 1, 531.03 and 1, 523.42.

       Market breadth turned negative as losers overpowered the gainers on a ratio of 568-to-383 stocks. Traded volumes stood at 4.8 billion shares worth RM2.72bil.

       Dealers said the high Covid-19 cases offset the optimism over the ongoing vaccination programme.

       Malaysia recorded 7, 097 more Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the second day in a row that the country has recorded over 7, 000 cases.

       Stock market data showed foreign funds and local institutions were net sellers at RM23mil and RM69mil respectively on Tuesday. Retailers were net buyers at RM92mil.

       Among the gainers, Genetec surged RM2.56 to RM17.98, MPI added 88 sen to RM39.90, Nestle gained 60 sen to RM133.60 and Kumpulan H & L High-Tech climbed 48 sen to RM3.71.

       Computer Forms fell 40 sen to RM3.97, Heineken shed 28 sen to RM22.62, British American Tobacco lost 22 sen to RM14.66 and Dataprep gave up 22 sen to RM1.38.

       Among the gloves, Top glove fell eight sen to RM3.86, Hartalega closed unchanged at RM7.06, Kossan eased five sen to RM3 and Supermax declined four sen to RM3.10.

       Asian bourses closed lower today, with Japan's Nikkei 225 losing 0.96%, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.6%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.4%, China’s Shanghai Composite added 0.66%.