KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI retreated on Wednesday on the back of profit taking activities following yesterday’s strong advance.

       At closing, the 30-stock index fell 16.69 points, or 1.06% to 1,553.41 after moving between 1,563.89 and 1,552.22.

       There were 507 gainers, 450 losers and 405 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia. Turnover was lower at 2.57 billion shares valued at RM2.48bil.

       Dealers said the market undertone remained steady despite the profit taking in blue chips following the semi-annual MSCI index review rebalancing yesterday.

       On Bursa Malaysia, Genting Bhd was the day's top gainer, rising 49 sen to RM5.24.

       Other top gainers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong, which added 44 sen to RM26, Carlsberg, which gained 40 sen to RM22.50 and Batu Kawan rose 20 sen to RM27.26.

       Nestle, the top loser on Bursa Malaysia, fell RM1.40 to RM133.40, Petronas Dagangan lost 94 sen to RM21.62 and Malaysian Pacific Industries eased 84 sen to RM32.

       Sapura Energy, the most active counter on Bursa Malaysia, fell 1.5 sen, or 17.65% to seven sen, with 197.82 million shares traded.

       Regionally, key markets trended broadly lower today. The Hong Kong Hang Seng fell 0.56% to 21,294.94, while the Shanghai Composite was down a marginal 0.13% to 3,182.16. The Nikkei 225 closed up 0.65% to 27,457.89. Markets in South Korea were closed on Wednesday for a holiday.