Malaysian share prices ended sharply lower Wednesday, dropping 3.5 percent amid growing fears the United States may be on the verge of a recession, dealers said. They said plantation stocks, selected big-caps and blue chips led the decline.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) closed down 52.05 points at 1,453.66, off a low of 1,448.11. Volume totalled 1.2 billion shares worth 2.8 billion ringgit (856 million dollars) while decliners led gainers 824 to 100. Sime Darby, the world's largest listed palm oil producer, fell 70 sen to 12.30 ringgit. Among other index heavyweights, Tenaga was down 20 sen to 9.75 ringgit.