KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI, which drifted lower earlier today, pared losses to close flat amid cautious market sentiment.

       The market’s key barometer closed up 0.83 of-a-point at 1,547.65, its intraday high. The index opened 4.86 points lower at 1,541.96 this morning.

       Broader market sentiment was weak, with 580 losers outpacing 398 gainers and 456 counters which traded unchanged. Turnover was at 3.66 billion shares valued at RM2.71bil.

       Dealers said market sentiment remained cautious and the local bourse may turn sideways amid profit taking activities.

       In today’s session, 16 of the KLCI-component stocks chalked up gains while 10 counters closed lower.

       Petronas Dagangan rose 14 sen to RM19.40, Petronas Gas added 10 sen to RM17, and Petronas Chemicals gained seven sen to RM8.72.

       CIMB and Tenaga adde seven sen each to RM4.81 and RM9.75 respectively.

       Kuala Lumpur Kepong shed 22 sen to RM20.04, Hong Leong Financial Group fell 16 sen to RM18.20, Hartalega declined seven sen to RM5.99 and Top Glove gave up five sen to RM2.76.

       On the broader market, MPI jumped 40 sen to RM45.40, Aeon Credit gained 36 sen to RM12.24 and Harbour-Link surged 30 sen to RM1.31.

       ViTrox tumbled 60 sen to RM20, PMB Technology lost 58 sen to RM12.24 and Genetec fell 54 sen to RM36.50.

       Among the key regional markets:

       Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed down 2.12% to 29,544.29;

       Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.67% to 24,663.50;

       Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.83% to 3,536.29;

       Taiwan’s Taiex closed down 1.9% to 16,855.46;

       South Korea’s Kospi shed 1.22% to 3,060.27 and;

       Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.05% to 3,076.04 points.