Malaysian Shares Snap Five-Day Winning Streak, Mirroring Regional Losses
Malaysian shares closed lower on Friday, halting a five-day winning streak, mirroring a weak regional trend as investors locked in profits.The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI shed 10.79 points to end 0.6% lower at 1,748.06. The day range was between 1,748.06 and 1,760.19.In economic news, Malaysia's Industrial Production Index rose 3.1% year on year in March, maintaining the same growth in the month prior, according to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). The increase was supported by stronger manufacturing activity, which expanded 5.5% compared with 4.2% in the previous month, alongside a 4.9% increase in electricity output.Meanwhile, Malaysia's Services Producer Price Index rose 2.1% year on year in the first quarter, accelerating from a 1% rise in the previous quarter, according to data released by the DoSM.In corporate news, shares of AirAsia X (KLSE:AAX) slid over 2% at close, as its unit Asia Aviation Capital agreed to buy 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft from Airbus in a deal valued at about $19 billion.Lotte Chemical Titan (KLSE:LCTITAN) posted a wider first-quarter loss despite a 70% jump in revenue. The loss widened as higher depreciation and financing costs from its Indonesia ethylene project weighed on earnings. Shares ended flat.