Malaysian shares ended in the red zone on Wednesday, extending losses from the previous session on profit-taking activities.
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the main gauge of Malaysian stocks, shed 9.17 points to end 0.59% lower at 1,535.79. The day ranged between 1,535.77 and 1,546.00.
In economic news, Malaysia's currency in circulation slid slightly by 0.2% to 161.8 billion ringgit in 2023, for the first time since 2001, versus 162.1 billion ringgit in 2022, Bank Negara Malaysia said in its annual report.
Meanwhile, the total value of cash amounted to 8.9% of gross domestic product in 2023 versus 9.1% in the year prior.
In corporate news, shares of the property developer Ideal United Bintang International (KLSE:IDEAL) lost over 8%, and those of the management services provider Quality Concrete Holdings (KLSE:QUALITY) dropped about 5% on Wednesday.
Conversely, shares of the metal stamping company Ge-Shen (KLSE:GESHEN) jumped about 10% today and those of the confectioneries maker Apollo Food (KLSE:APOLLO) gained about 6% on Wednesday's close.