At 9.05am the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was down 0.29 points at 1,524.84 from Wednesday's close of 1,525.13.
It opened lower after tracking Wall Street’s weak overnight performance decked out concerns about inflation that would see interest rate hikes higher than expected.
The index opened 0.55 points at 1,524.58.
On the broader market, investors saw losers outpacing gainers by 218 to 116, while 241 counters were unchanged, 1,748 untraded and 21 suspended.
Total turnover at 195.73 million units worth RM79.46 million.
A note issued by Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said investors were on high alert ahead of the corporate earnings report as well as further guidance from the US Federal Reserve on its future monetary policy.
He added that selling pressure on oil and gas counters increased following a statement issued by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on possible oil surpluses in the near term which had contributed to the overnight drop in oil prices, but still hovered at US $ 80 or RM334. 44 barrels.
Heavyweights saw Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) fall 1 sen each at RM8.06 and RM8.30, respectively, while Public Bank Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd remained at RM4.05 and RM6.55. .
Active stocks saw WZ Satu Bhd rise 3.5 sen at 26 sen, Tanco Holdings Bhd gained 27.5 sen while Advance Synergy Bhd fell 1 sen at 12 sen and Sapura Energy Bhd remained at 10 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas index fell 6.24 points to 11,225.14, the FBMT 100 index declined 4.26 points to 10,897.11, the FBM Emas Shariah index fell 7.26 points to 12,223.28 while the FBM ACE rose 7.65 points to 6,811.79 and the FBM 70 declined 14.37 points to 14,811.12.
The Industrial Products and Services index rose 0.43 points at 198.93, the Plantation index rose 18.64 points at 6,562.54 and the Financial Services index increased 3.17 points at 15,195.92.
