FKLI Related News

NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The Dow industrials ended slightly higher on Thursday while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq cut most of the day's losses in a sign that investor sentiment remains generally positive despite several weak manufacturing surveys from around the world.

Pockets of strength included housing, with an index of housing stocks up 0.8 percent, following Wednesday's gains on better-than-expected housing market data. The S&P energy index rose 0.4 percent, in sync with a rally in Brent crude oil prices after a three-day slide. The S&P utilities index also gained 0.4 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 18.97 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 13,596.93. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dipped 0.79 of a point, or 0.05 percent, to 1,460.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 6.66 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 3,175.96.

Manufacturing in China contracted for an 11th straight month in September, according to a private-sector survey of factory managers; in the euro zone, a downturn in activity in the service sector steepened this month at the fastest pace since July 2009.

Benchmark index KLCI may remain under selling pressure, with psychological support currently seen at 1600. Today’s resistance is located around 1638.