KUALA LUMPUR: Gains in Tenaga and key heavyweights helped push the index nearly 12 points in early trade on Thursday, boosted by the positive sentiment in Asian equities.
There were 347 gainers, 115 decliners and 204 counters unchanged.
BIMB Research in a note said it expects the local market to remain positive today in due to overnight gains in the west and positive global sentiment with immediate support at 1,780/90.
Reuters reported Asian shares held near six-week highs on Thursday as investors bet the European Central Bank will unveil a bond-buying stimulus programme later in the day in an attempt to revive the flagging euro zone economy.
The euro treaded water ahead of the ECB decision, while the Canadian dollar took the spotlight after plunging to a nearly six-year low following the Bank of Canada's surprise move to slash its overnight rate to help cushion the economy from recently plunging oil prices, it said.
At Bursa Malaysia, Tenaga rose 20 sen to RM14.70, Maybank 11 sen to RM8.98 and PetGas 48 sen to RM21.92.
EcoWorld rose 17 sen to RM2.32 and Axiata 10 sen to RM7.15.
BAT rose 82 sen to RM67.32 and KL Kepong 32 sen to RM22.90.
PPB Group sen 26 sen to RM14.94 and Ta Ann 10 sen to RM3.80.
UMW fell 10 sen to RM10.60.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
