Malaysian share prices closed 0.14 percent higher Wednesday after financial institutions and brokerages tightened loan and margin facilities following recent sharp falls in some stocks, dealers said. The said the key index was only supported by some interest in the three market heavyweights. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index closed up 1.23 points at 861.96 on volume of 389.7 million shares worth 489.33 million ringgit (129 million dollars) while losers outnumbered gainers 604 to 176.
"Trading was sluggish for the day and most retail investors kept to the sidelines, with brokerages and financial institutions tightening their margin facilities for shares," a local brokerage dealer said. Among blue chips, Tenaga Nasional was up 0.20 ringgit at 10.50, Telekom Malaysia rose 0.20 to 10.0, and Malayan Banking added 0.20 to 11.20.
Inch Kenneth Kajang Rubber Plc firmed 0.675 to 1.65 ringgit, against its adjusted price of 0.975 after going ex-bonus today, dealers said.