Malaysian share prices closed little changed on Friday as investors remained on the sidelines ahead of the central bank's decision on interest rates, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index ended at 1,141.75 on volume of 401 million shares worth 866 million ringgit (266 million dollars), while losers led gainers 289 to 224 with 239 stocks unchanged.
Economists expect rates to be raised after June inflation surged to 7.7 percent, following a sharp fuel price hike last month. A dealer told Dow Jones Newswires that the "KLCI has really not done as badly as expected today," despite Wall Street's fall, weaker regional markets and concerns on economic growth and rising inflation.
Among losers Sime Darby was down 0.6 percent to 8.00 ringgit and Telekom Malaysia International was down 1.6 percent to 6.10. Gainers include construction company Ranhill which rose 31.6 percent to 1.27 ringgit. YTL Power added 2.2 percent to 1.87 ringgit while lender Bumiputra-Commerce gained 3.0 percent to 8.60 ringgit.