Malaysian share prices closed little changed on Monday in quite trading ahead of the New Year holiday, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) closed down 0.1 percent or 2.01 points at 1,445.03, off an all-time intra-day high of 1,452.57 points.
For the year, the KLCI was up 32 percent. The bourse will be closed Tuesday for New Year. Trading volume was 812.59 million shares valued at 1.39 billion ringgit (421 million dollars). Phua Kwee Hock, an analyst at SJ Securities, said he expected a rally when trading resumed Wednesday. Maybank, Malaysia's largest bank, fell 10 sen to 11.50 ringgit. Telekom Malaysia lost 10 sen to 11.20 ringgit. Power supplier Tenaga was flat at 9.60 ringgit.
Sime Darby, the world's largest listed plantation company, was steady at 11.90 ringgit. Casino operator Resorts World added 10 sen to 3.88 ringgit. The company said it would sell its entire 6.2 percent stake in Singapore-listed unit Genting International as it streamlines its global interests.