Bursa Malaysia's operating revenue dropped by 31% to RM164.1 million from RM239.2 million registered in the same period last year. This decline was primarily due to the decreased trading activity in the volatile equities market arising from global and domestic uncertainties as well as the sharp increase in oil, commodity and food prices. Bursa Malaysia however remains committed to delivering continued value to its shareholders and declared an interim gross dividend of 16.5 sen per share for the period under review.

Bursa Malaysia's Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Yusli Mohamed Yusoff said, "There seems to be little relief from the escalating global economic challenges. Despite that, now is the opportune time to bargain hunt fundamental stocks as our market offers many quality pickings. The lacklustre market has not dampened foreign investor interest significantly as foreign trading participation remains constant at 40%."

The daily average trading value for the equities market was lower at RM1.7 billion compared to RM2.7 billion for the half year of 2007. Velocity for the period under review also dropped to 38% in comparison to 61% for the same period last year. Trading revenue for the equities market decreased by 48% to RM84.9 million as compared to RM164.5 million in the first half of 2007.

The total number of derivatives contracts traded dropped marginally by 5% - 3.1 million contracts in half year of 2008 versus 3.2 million contracts in the same period in 2007. Consequently, the trading revenue for the derivatives market fell by 7% to RM22.0 million from RM23.7 million in the corresponding period in 2007. Dato' Yusli commented that the derivatives market performance did not experience a significant drop due to investors' sustained appetite for derivatives products. There were a total of 14 newly listed companies as at 30 June 2008 compared to 12 in the previous corresponding period. The growth in listings is sustainable given the currentt as at 30 June 2008 compared to 12 in the previous corresponding period. The growth in listings is sustainable given the current drop due to investors' sustained appetite for derivatives products. There were a total of 14 newly listed companies as at 30 June 2008 compared to 12 in the previous corresponding period. The growth in listings is sustainable given the current market condition which reflects the confidence that companies have in the Malaysian capital market.

Bursa Malaysia also announced an interim gross dividend of 16.5 sen per share or a net dividend of 12.21 sen per share, which represents a payout of 91% of the Group's net profit for the period ended 30 June 2008. The payout is 16% higher than the Group's dividend policy of minimum 75% payout. The interim dividend will be paid out to its shareholders on 13 August 2008.

For the next half of the year, Bursa Malaysia will remain focused on rolling out its initiatives to build the competitiveness of both the equities and derivatives market. "We are at the final stages of implementing the new securities trading platform which aims to offer higher efficiency. We are also planning to launch the US Dollar crude palm oil futures contract, which is a globally competitive futures product, on 5 September 2008."