Malaysian share prices closed 0.15 percent lower on Tuesday as investors took to the sidelines ahead of the announcement of second quarter economic growth data due out next week, dealers said.
They said high oil prices continued to hold stocks down while investors were waiting for a clearer picture on the market direction to emerge and economists expect a slower second quarter for economic growth data. The figures are due next Wednesday.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was down 1.43 points to 926.49 and volume was 309.87 million shares worth 529.13 million ringgit (139 million dollars) while losers outnumbered gainers 379 to 292.
"There weren't many catalysts to stabilise the market and the fall below 930 points this week suggested that sentiment had turned bearish," a local brokerage dealer said.
Among blue chips, Tenaga Nasional was up 0.20 ringgit at 11.20, Telekom Malaysia was flat at 10.90 and Malayan Banking lost 0.30 at 11.10.