BREAKING: Malaysia Bourse May Snap Losing Streak On Friday

The global forecast for the Asian markets is cautiously optimistic, with technology stocks expected to push markets into the green. The European markets were down and the U.S. bourses were up and the Asian markets figure to follow the latter lead.

The KLCI finished sharply lower on Thursday following losses from the financials, telecoms and glove makers, while the plantations were mixed.

For the day, the index sank 21.07 points or 1.31 percent to finish at the daily low of 1,583.68 after peaking at 1,596.55. Volume was 9.532 billion shares worth 4.483 billion ringgit. There were 730 decliners and 462 gainers.

Among the actives, Hong Leong Bank plummeted 5.51 percent, while Sime Darby plunged 4.13 percent, Public Bank tanked 3.57 percent, AMMB Holdings tumbled 2.97 percent, PPB Group skidded 2.74 percent, Malaysia Airports Holdings retreated 2.68 percent, RHB Capital declined 2.51 percent, Hartalega Holdings surrendered 2.22 percent, CIMB Group sank 2.15 percent, Axiata dropped 2.06 percent, Genting shed 1.68 percent, Maybank lost 1.58 percent, Genting Malaysia fell 1.57 percent, Maxis slid 1.56 percent, Kuala Lumpur Kepong advanced 1.03 percent, Top Glove dipped 1.00 percent, Sime Darby Plantations slipped 0.95 percent, IOI Corporation weakened 0.88 percent, IHH Healthcare lost 0.73 percent, Petronas Chemicals added 0.30 percent, Digi.com gained 0.24 percent, Tenaga Nasional eased 0.18 percent, Press Metal was down 0.16 percent and Hong Leong Financial, Dialog Group and MISC were unchanged.