03 Sep 2012         Malaysian Shares End +0.5%; 1650-1655 Tipped N/T

Malaysian shares close up 0.5% at 1653.90, after hitting a record high of 1655.49, buoyed by gains in services and financial stocks.  The index will likely trade in a 1650-1655 band ahead of Malaysia's monetary policy meeting Thursday, says local dealer; but he warns the KLCI's upside appears limited, as investors are likely to take profits amid bearish technical signals.  Market breadth ends negative at 409 losers vs 350 gainers with a total volume of 1.45 billion shares.  Among losers, YTL Power International Bhd (6742.KU) ends down 1.7% at MYR1.71, Petronas Gas Bhd (6033.KU) slips 1% to MYR19.18 and Maxis Bhd (6012.KU) eases 0.9% to MYR6.98.  Among gainers, Axiata Group Bhd (6888.KU) ends up 3.5% at MYR6.20, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (1023.KU) rises 1% to MYR7.87 and Malayan Banking Bhd (1155.KU) adds 0.2% to MYR9.17.