KUALA LUMPUR: Finance stocks and plantations fell at the midday break on Friday, March 12 as investors decided to take profit but most key Asian markets were higher.

The broader market was weaker with declining stocks beating advancers nearly three to one.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 11.25 points to 1,310.18. Turnover was 333.72 million shares valued at RM556.82 million. There were 161 gainers, 416 losers and 251 counters unchanged.

CIMB fell 24 sen to RM13.80 while Bursa gave up 14 sen to RM7.77 and Hong Leong Bank 12 sen to RM8.65 while Maybank shed nine sen to RM7.33.

Genting lost 13 sen to RM6.57 and DiGi 12 sen to RM22.48. Among plantations, KL Kepong shed 20 sen to RM16.70 and Glenealy 15 sen to RM4.50.

KKB Engineering, which investors viewed had run up too much in recent weeks, extended its losses, down 15 sen to RM5.63.

TAHPS plunged 87 sen to RM2.45 with 2,100 shares done in the absence of any negative news. Shipbuilder BHIC, which is part of Boustead Holdings, fell 28 sen to RM4.50.

Ho Hup attracted trading interest, rising 24 sen to RM1.49. The ongoing battle for control took another twist as the Companies Commission got involved in Ho Hup's tussle.

Top Glove added 16 sen to RM12.30 ahead of its earnings report next week.