KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI reversed its earlier losses and closed Wednesday marginally higher ahead of Christmas, boosted by gains in select blue chips and the overall firmer Asian markets.
At 5pm, the KLCI closed up 0.69 of a points or 0.04% to 1,749.74. Turnover was 1.048 billion shares valued at RM995.55mil. There were 333 gainers, 394 decliners and 313 counters unchanged.
Reuters reported Asian stocks gained and the dollar stood tall on Wednesday thanks to surprisingly robust US economic growth, helping investors head into the Christmas holidays in a more relaxed mood after the global market turbulence of the past two weeks.
Risk appetite was sharpened by from revised data showing the US economy grew at 5% in the third quarter, the quickest pace in 11 years and the strongest sign yet that growth has decisively shifted into higher gear, it said.
At Bursa Malaysia, KL Kepong rose 42 sen to RM21.88, UMW 30 sen to RM11 and HLCap 26 sen to RM13.28.
Top Glove rose 13 sen to RM4.55 and United Plantations 12 sen to RM23.96.
Decliners were VS fell 15 sen to RM2.45 and PPB Group 12 sen to RM14.02.
Tasco fell nine sen to RM2.59 and Allianz 20 sen to RM11.60.
BAT fell RM2 to RM63.90.
Nikkei 225 rose 1.24% 17,854.23
Hong Kong Hang Seng Index rose 0.07% to 23,349.34
Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index fell 1.98% to 2,972.53
Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Index rose 0.97% to 9,186.18
Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI Index rose 0.39% to 1,946.61
Straits Times Index STI rose 0.4% to 3,345.91
Crude oil fell 42 cents to US$56.70 and Brent 45 cents to US$61.24.
Spot gold rose US$4.33 to US$1,180.90
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