Bursa Malaysia >>> Plantation stocks down at midday

Blue chips extended their losses, with big capitalised PLANTATION related counters among the major decliners at the midday break on July 30 while key Asian markets reversed into the red.

At 12.30pm, the 30-stock FBM KLCI fell 5.69 points to1,158.79. Turnover was 369.43 million shares valued at RM592 million. Decliners beat advancers nearly two to one, with 313 losers, 181 gainers while 224 stocks were flat.

The cautious sentiment was also seen in key Asian bourses where Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.36% to 20,006.81, Shanghai's Composite Index fell 1.15% to 3,228.75 and Shenzen Composite Index 1.81% lower at 1,052.75. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost 0.15% to 1,098.49 and Singapore's Straits Times Index 0.06% lower at 2,602.59.

Light crude oil fell 29 cents to US$63.06 while crude palm oil futures gained RM7 to RM2,120.

At Bursa, KL Kepong and PPB fell 20 sen each to RM12.40 and RM14.20 while Genting Plantations declined 10 sen to RM5.70 and heavyweight Sime Darby shed five sen to RM8.05.BAT was the top loser, down two bids or 50 sen to RM45.50, Bina Darulaman lost 11 sen to 81 sen while UMW, Jaya Tiasa and Tasek shed 10 sen each to RM6.15, RM2.40 and RM3.50.

Handal rose 24 sen to 96 sen and it was the second most active counter with 17.5 million shares done. KNM was the most active, unchanged at 86.5 sen. HPI Resources, which is involved in packaging and transportation, was the top gainer, adding 25 sen to RM1.21 with 2.1 million shares done. It posted a strong set of earnings and it also proposed a bonus issue. Carlsberg rose 18 sen to RM4.42, IJM and Tanjong 10 sen higher at RM6.15 and RM14.80.