KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): The FBM KLCI fell below the 1,600-point level to its one-week low today, dragged by a decline in most component stocks ahead of the New Year break.

At 11.11am, the benchmark index fell to 1,592.65 before rebounding, but was still down 17.43 points at 1,598.24 at 11.54am.

Among the biggest laggards at press time, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd fell 1.98%, Public Bank Bhd fell 1.8%, and PPB Group Bhd fell 1.76%.

Genting stocks were the most traded among the component stocks, with Genting Malaysia Bhd down 0.91% with 9.1 million shares traded, followed by Genting Bhd — down 1.48%, with 2.8 million shares traded at press time.

The two gainers were Petronas Dagangan Bhd, up 0.26%, and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, up 0.22%.