KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI slipped into the red at midday on profit taking and as fund managers' window dressing activities slowed ahead of Christmas.

       The benchmark index closed 1.46 points lower to 1,514.96 after gaining 16.1 points to 1,516.42 yesterday.

       Rising counters outnumbered falling ones 334 to 315 on Bursa Malaysia while 396 counters were unchanged.

       Turnover on Bursa Malaysia was at 969.42 million shares valued at RM461.66mil.

       Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd said the benchmark index to possibly continue with its uptrend today amid a more vibrant regional performance.

       “Nonetheless, profit taking activities could set in thus we expect the index to trend within the 1,510-1,520 range today.

       “Meanwhile, crude oil prices also benefitted from the lower Omicron threat as the Brent crude inched closer towards the US$77 per barrel level,” it said.

       Among the gainers on Bursa Malaysia, Aeon Credit rose 22 sen to RM13.52, KESM added 16 sen to RM12.24, Kuala Lumpur Kepong advanced 14 sen to RM21.46.

       Nestle fell RM1 to RM131.50, Genetec lost 96 sen to RM36.54 and F&N shed 28 sen to RM24.82.

       Among the banks, Maybank fell two sen to RM8.23, Public Bank declined one sen to RM4.13, RHB Bank added one sen to RM5.31, Hong Leong Bank rose four sen to RM18.50 and CIMB closed unchanged at RM5.36.