KUALA LUMPUR: Asian markets ended the morning session lower on April 21, with the KL Composite Index off its early lows while Kumpulan Euro was in focus on news that it was expecting multi-billion ringgit of projects.

K Euro jumped on news that it expected projects worth RM3 billion from the proposed West Coast Highway. It was awaiting the government's confirmation on the commencement date of the highway concession.

At 12.30pm, the KL Composite Index was down 5.96 points to 962.41. Turnover was 564 million shares valued at RM467.97 million. There were 101 gainers, 334 losers and 158 counters unchanged.

Light crude oil was trading 11 cents higher at US$45.99 but crude palm oil futures fell RM38 to RM2,407.

Among Asian markets, the Nikkei 225 fell 2.8% to 8,674.83, the Hang Seng Index declined 3.7% to 15,165.47 and Shanghai’s Composite Index lost 1.24% to 2,525.64 while the Straits Times Index of Singapore fell 2.74% to 1,823.43.

At Bursa, among the decliners were consumer stocks Nestle and PPB, which fell 25 sen each to RM29 and RM9.95 while Warisan fell 15 sen to RM1.80 and Ajinomoto 14 sen lower to RM2.85. Bursa extended its losses from the previous day, down 15 sen to RM5.90. However, Dutch Lady added 15 sen to RM9.40.

Bernama reported Proton as saying that it was discussing with EON on rationalisation of the Proton sales and service network. Proton and EON signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to begin discussion on April 25.  The MOU, however has since been extended to May 2.

Proton rose 13 sen to RM3.12 while DRB-Hicom added two sen to RM1.10. MMC Corp rose 11 sen to RM1.84 and PLUS 10 sen to RM3.18.

K Euro rose 11 sen to 32 sen with 9.44 million shares done. Talam added one sen to 6.5 sen. It was the most active with 64.9 million shares done.