KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended lower on Monday amidst a mixed performance across the region.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 1.82 points or 0.11 per cent to 1,611.43 from Friday's close of 1,613.25.
The index started the day 2.63 points lower at 1,610.62, dropped further to its lowest point of 1,602.94 in the early session, but gradually recovered to close at its intraday high of 1,611.43.
On the broader market, decliners outnumbered gainers 662 to 432, while 479 counters remained unchanged.
Turnover fell to 3.02 billion units, valued at RM2.40 billion, compared to 3.18 billion units valued at RM2.82 billion last Friday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI has been consolidating since mid-September, driven by cautious sentiment and persistent foreign selling amid the absence of fresh market catalysts.
"To regain bullish momentum, the index must decisively break above the resistance level of 1,615 and sustain the upward trend," he told Business Times.
For the week ahead, Thong anticipates the benchmark index to hover within the 1,605-1,625 range.