Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia remained positive at midday, supported by persistent buying activities in selected heavyweight counters, especially within the financial services, telecommunications, and media sectors.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maybank added 16 sen to RM11.96, Public Bank gained four sen to RM4.91, and Axiata Group jumped 14 sen to RM2.44. These counters collectively lifted the composite index by 6.96 points. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 0.32 percent, or 5.61 points, reaching 1,746.49 compared to last Friday's close of 1,740.88. The barometer index opened 15.21 points higher at 1,756.09 and fluctuated between 1,742.68 and 1,757.51 during the morning trading session.

In the broader market, decliners outnumbered gainers 635 to 373, with 502 counters unchanged, 1,118 untraded, and 62 suspended. The market turnover was recorded at 1.88 billion shares, valued at RM1.54 billion.

Malacca Securities, in a research note today, highlighted Telekom Malaysia's securing of power supply for data centres in Johor, along with several downstream data centre project announcements, as favorable for 'pick-and-shovel' plays within the data centre value chain. The brokerage expressed preference for Powerwell Holdings Bhd, citing the recent development of its acquisition in East Malaysia and major project wins. It also noted that UUE Holdings Bhd's employee share option scheme losses could be perceived as non-recurring expenses, presenting a 'buy-on-weakness' opportunity considering the company's robust order book. Resistance is anticipated around 1,755-1,760 points, with support at 1,720-1,725.

Among other heavyweights, Telekom Malaysia gained 19 sen to RM8.09, Tenaga Nasional increased 12 sen to RM14.06, and Maxis expanded 8.0 sen to RM3.90. However, Hong Leong Bank lost 80 sen to RM25, and Gamuda slid 27 sen to RM4.15.

On the most active list, Pharmaniaga rose two sen to 30.5 sen, whereas Capital A decreased by 2.0 sen to 59.5 sen, Zetrix AI increased by one sen to 81.5 sen, Tanco dropped three sen to RM1.33, and ISF fell by 4.5 sen to 50 sen.

Top gainers included Nestle, advancing 40 sen to RM112.40, Malaysian Pacific Industries firming by RM1.30 to RM33.30, and UWC rising 30 sen to RM4.39. Hong Leong Financial Group widened by 26 sen to RM22.60, and Dutch Lady Milk Industries gained 26 sen to RM33.26.

Fraser and Neave led the decliners, falling by RM1.44 to RM34.32, while PPB Group slipped 26 sen to RM11.04, and Tradeplus Shariah Gold Tracker shrank 29 sen to RM5.91. United Plantations was 70 sen lower at RM29.54, and Petronas Dagangan slid 64 sen to RM20.56.

On the index board, the FBM Top 100 Index rose by 26.12 points to 12,588.14, while the FBM Emas Index gained 18.84 points to 12,764.83, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased by 11.48 points to 12,286.80. The FBM ACE Index slipped 31.52 points to 4,691.48, and the FBM Mid 70 Index trimmed 28.49 points to 17,481.09.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index gained 1.80 points to 21,511.98, the Plantation Index climbed 16.45 points to 8,381.01, the Energy Index rose 9.13 points to 749.80, and the Industrial Products and Services Index inched up by 0.11 of-a-point to 175.67.