Malaysian share prices closed 0.69 percent lower on Tuesday in subdued trade, in line with losses on regional markets due to lingering concerns over higher interest rates in the US, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index closed down 6.41 points at 925.49.
Volume stood at 373.39 million shares worth 513.38 million ringgit (140 million dollars). Declining stocks outnumbered advancers 499 to 187, with 280 stocks unchanged and 353 untraded.
The ringgit was traded at 3.6450/3.6500 to the US dollar.
"Market sentiment is definitely very jittery due to sharp movements in world markets in recent weeks. This has made investors very confused as to the direction of the market - investors never like uncertainty," a local brokerage dealer said.
He said the uncertainty has definitely unnerved many investors, especially the smaller retail ones.
OSK Securities said that, given the way the market is trading lately, it is betting that investors would rather devote their attention to the 2006 World Cup tournament which starts this Friday.
Among blue chips, Sime Darby closed down 0.10 ringgit at 5.85, Malayan Banking fell 0.10 ringgit to 10.50, while Tenaga Nasional was flat at 9.20.
Bursa Malaysia lost 0.10 ringgit to 5.80 on weakening earnings expectations.
Rashid Hussain and RHB Capital were higher by 0.045 ringgit and 0.04 ringgit at 0.905 and 2.69, respectively, on follow-through interest.
Lion Forest Industries was down sharply by 0.44 ringgit or 11.28 percent at 3.46 on news that the company is disposing of a paper mill for 1.0 billion ringgit.
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