Kuala Lumpur:Bursa Malaysia's key index maintained its upward trend, increasing by 0.33 percent at midday due to bargain hunting in selected heavyweights.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 5.44 points to 1,635.80 from the previous day's close of 1,630.36. The index opened 3.51 points higher at 1,633.87, fluctuating between 1,630.63 and 1,640.78 during the morning trading session.
Across the broader market, there were more decliners than gainers, with 507 losers compared to 499 gainers. Additionally, 494 counters remained unchanged, 1,273 were untraded, and 24 were suspended. The market saw a turnover of 2.24 billion shares worth RM1.26 billion.
Hong Leong Investment Bank noted that the barometer index might continue its risk-off consolidation amid high oil prices and bond yields. It also highlighted persistent foreign outflows, US-Iran tensions, and a hawkish Federal Reserve stance as factors affecting market sentiment. The bank identified immediate resistance levels at 1,667-1,682, followed by 1,705-1,720.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank rose by nine sen to RM10.04, Public Bank added four sen to RM4.71, Tenaga Nasional increased 16 sen to RM13.06, and IHH Healthcare expanded by 11 sen to RM7.81. However, CIMB eased by one sen to RM7.68.
In active trading, Jaks Resources firmed by half a sen to 18.5 sen, JCY International advanced 10 sen to 65.5 sen, V.S Industry ticked up two sen to 29 sen, and Top Glove inched up 3.5 sen to 77 sen, while Zetrix AI decreased 2.5 sen to 14 sen.
Among the top gainers, Malaysian Pacific Industries surged 84 sen to RM41.96, UWC gained 36 sen to RM7.46, United Plantations advanced 36 sen to RM31.32, and both Vitrox and UMS Integration climbed 34 sen to RM10.34 and RM8.99, respectively.
Kuala Lumpur Kepong led the decliners, falling 46 sen to RM20.96. Other notable decliners included Enra, which lost 29 sen to 69 sen, Allianz Malaysia, which fell 28 sen to RM20.72, BLD Plantations, which shed 26 sen to RM14.74, and Dutch Lady Milk Industries, which erased 20 sen to RM29.80.
On the index board, the FBM Mid 70 Index rose 115.75 points to 17,474.73, the FBM Emas Index added 51.08 points to 12,194.61, and the FBM Top 100 Index advanced 50.09 points to 11,983.24. The FBM Emas Shariah Index climbed 66.45 points to 12,079.46, while the FBM ACE Index improved 6.33 points to 5,489.30.
Sector-wise, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 0.99 of a point to 178.72, the Energy Index gained 1.06 points to 836.07, the Financial Services Index rose 55.60 points to 19,116.51, and the Plantation Index increased by 4.58 points to 9,031.15.