Kuala lumpur: Bursa Malaysia concluded the morning session on a higher note, driven by stronger buying interest following the announcement of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Market sentiment was also influenced by anticipation of the upcoming release of United States (US) economic data.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, at 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) climbed 6.12 points, or 0.40 percent, reaching 1,533.10 from Monday’s close of 1,526.98. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points higher at 1,528.63 and fluctuated between 1,528.63 and 1,536.95 during the morning session.

The market exhibited a positive breadth, with 414 gainers surpassing 400 losers. Meanwhile, 503 counters remained unchanged, 1,173 were untraded, and seven were suspended. Turnover was recorded at 1.56 billion securities, valued at RM1.08 billion.

Apex Securities Bhd indicated that the 13MP announcement could stimulate stronger buying interest from local institutional funds, potentially mitigating overall market weakness due to ongoing foreign fund outflows. The brokerage noted that attention is now shifting towards the imminent release of various corporate earnings and the US ISM Services purchasing managers index (PMI) later today, which could provide further market direction.

Among key players, Maybank increased by four sen to RM9.58, Public Bank rose by one sen to RM4.25, Tenaga Nasional advanced by six sen to RM13.22, and IHH Healthcare climbed nine sen to RM6.79, while CIMB remained stable at RM6.75.

In the active trading segment, Pharmaniaga improved by one sen to 19 sen, while TWL, Tanco, and Sapura Energy stayed unchanged at 2.5 sen, 82 sen, and four sen, respectively. Top Glove, however, decreased by 1.5 sen to 64 sen.

On the broader market spectrum, the FBM Emas Index gained 41.62 points to 11,514.44, the FBMT 100 Index increased by 39.71 points to 11,273.31, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index rose by 46.44 points to 11,539.65. The FBM Mid 70 Index went up by 35.58 points to 16,649.84, while the FBM ACE Index advanced by 11.02 points to 4,640.39.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index rose by 48.95 points to 17,413.51, the Industrial Products and Services Index slightly increased by 0.66 of a point to 158.68, and the Energy Index edged up by 1.74 points to 741.53. Meanwhile, the Plantation Index slightly decreased by 1.74 points to 7,368.71.