Malaysian shares ended in the red territory on Friday as investor sentiment remained downbeat on the close of a holiday-shortened week.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the main gauge of Malaysian stocks, shed 2.47 points to end 0.16% lower at 1,551.04 at the close. The day ranged between 1,548.27 and 1,556.64.

Bursa Malaysia and its units remained closed on Wednesday and Thursday to observe the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays. The overall sentiment was also weighed down by weak Chinese exports and imports data for March.

China's exports dropped 7.5% year-over-year, while its imports fell by 1.9% in March, the official data showed. The fall was stronger than a 2.3% decrease in exports and a 1.4% increase in imports estimated by a Reuters poll of economists.

In corporate news, shares of HeiTech Padu (KLSE:HTPADU) dropped over 7% today, and those of Malaysian insurer Allianz Malaysia (KLSE:ALLIANZ) declined over 4% on Friday's close.