KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 ― Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session lower, in line with the regional market performance as investors awaited a decision on interest rates by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) later today.

At the lunch break, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 4.08 points, or 0.28 per cent to 1,453.58 from yesterday’s close of 1,457.66.

The index opened 5.03 points weaker at 1,452.63 and moved between 1,450.37 and 1,456.77 throughout the morning trading session.

However, in the broader market, gainers slightly outnumbered decliners 414 to 404, while 441 counters were unchanged, 1,115 untraded and 11 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 2.04 billion units worth RM1.21 billion.

At 12.40pm, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.47 per cent to 33,084.77, South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.14 per cent to 2,555.72 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index shed 0.75 per cent to 17,862.36.

Singapore's Straits Times Index dipped 0.20 per cent to 3,234.11 and China’s SSE Composite Index contracted 0.33 per cent to 3,114.76.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said although the majority believe that there would be a pause on US interest rate adjustments, many are eager to watch the Fed’s commentary for the outlook on interest rates.

“On the home front, the FBM KLCI closed on a flat note on Tuesday following another lacklustre day amid a mixed regional performance.

“Hence, we reckon such a trend would continue today as we wait for the Fed decision later today,” he told Bernama, adding that he expects the index to maintain its tight trading range trend and hover between 1,450 and 1,460 today.

Among the heavyweight counters, Maybank eased four sen to RM8.87, CIMB added three sen to RM5.60 and TNB gained four sen to RM10.18. Petronas Chemicals edged up one sen to RM7.31 while Public Bank was flat at RM4.20.

Of the actives, Ekovest rose 2.5 sen to 58 sen, Iskandar Waterfront City recouped 8.5 sen to 77.5 sen, Malaysian Resources Corp firmed up two sen to 48.5 sen and UEM Sunrise rallied 6.5 sen to 91.5 sen while TWL was flat at three sen.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index dropped 2.50 points to 10,763.50, the FBMT 100 Index was down 7.14 points to 10,429.62 and the FBM ACE Index slipped 4.72 points to 5,201.21.

The FBM 70 Index strengthened 86.30 points to 14,335.01 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index expanded 32.83 points to 11,032.76.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index was 96.15 points lower at 16,223.81 and the Energy Index inched down 4.77 points to 903.00.

The Plantation Index added 10.23 points to 6,966.90 and the Industrial Products Services Index edged up 0.87 of-a-point to 174.56. ― Bernama