KUALA LUMPUR:  The KL Composite Index (KLCI) slipped into the red at the midday break on May 27, the only key regional index to be in negative zone, as investors took profit on Genting.

At 12.30pm, the KLCI was down 0.81 point to 1,050.82. Turnover was 737.5 million shares valued at RM713.67 million. There were 283 gainers, 233 losers and 226 stocks unchanged.

However, major regional markets rose on the back of the firm close on Wall Street. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 4.69% to 17,7787.82, the Nikkei 225 rose 1.37% to 9,438.43, Shanghai Composite Index up 0.83% at 2,609.95 and Singapore Straits Times Index 2.22% higher at 2,288.59.

Light crude oil was unchanged at US$62.45 while crude palm oil futures added RM51 to RM2,481.

Genting fell 25 sen to RM5.25 and Resorts six sen lower to RM2.69. In Singapore, Genting Singapore ended the morning session down 14.5 cents or 16.8% lower at 72 cents.

The fall in the Genting Singapore share price could be linked to the sale by Genting Singapore shareholders of 853.9 million shares at 72 cents each earlier in the day.

Top Glove lost 25 sen to RM5.80, Tanjong 20 sen to RM13.80 while Dutch Lady gave up 10 sen to RM10.60,

KNM was the most active with 34.6 million shares done, rising one sen to 81.5 sen. Telekom Malaysia added three sen to RM2.85 in active trade.

BAT was the top gainer, rising 50 sen to RM43.75, BHIC 22 sen to RM4.74, IJM-WB 16 sen to RM1.36.