Malaysian shares ended in the red again on Monday, bucking an upbeat regional performance. The investor sentiment was downbeat despite slower-than-expected inflation in July.
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the main gauge of Malaysian stocks, shed 1.50 points to end 0.1% lower at 1,725.89.
In economic news, Malaysia's headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.8% year over year in July, according to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia. The reading compared with the 1.9% expansion recorded in June, missing the Trading Economics forecast of 2.1%. It also marked the softest print in four months.
In corporate news, shares of Alam Maritim Resources (KLSE:ALAM) slumped about 12% on close today after its group managing director and group chief executive officer Azmi Ahmad was remanded to facilitate an ongoing investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
United Asiapac Energy (KLSE:UNIPAC) postponed its planned ACE Market listing to Sept. 14, from the original Aug. 19 date, to allow for the updated disclosure. The Malaysian upstream oil and gas services company plans to issue up to 139.2 million new shares as part of its IPO and listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities.