KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI reversed its earlier losses and inched up more than one point at midday on Monday as investors' sentiments slightly recovered, in line with the firmer Asian equities.
At 12.30pm, the KLCI rose 1.06 points to 1,845.37. Turnover was 1.089 billion shares valued at RM677.26mil. There were 367 gainers, 319 decliners and 323 counters unchanged.
Reuters reported Asian shares got off to a shaky start on Monday as recent rallies offered traders a profit-taking opportunity, while the dollar edged away from recent peaks in early trading.
Japan's Nikkei stock average was nearly flat in early trade, after rising above the 20,000 on Friday for the first time in 15 years.
Meanwhile, HLIB Research said in a note that the KLCI may extend its profit taking to neutralise its overbought positions.
However, any pullback will be well-absorbed amid positive expectations from Invest Malaysia conference, the upcoming 11th Malaysia Plan and the prospects of foreign inflows.
"Key supports are 1,810-1,820 while resistance are near 1,858-1,878 levels," it said.
At Bursa Malaysia, Uzma rose 13 sen to RM2.43, MISC 22 sen to RM9.18 and BAT 52 sen to RM69.52.
Decliners were HLFG, down 36 sen to RM17.02 and LPI 10 sen to RM14.68.
MAHB fell nine sen to RM6.90 and Genting nine sen to RM9.14.
Carlsberg fell 10 sen to RM14 and Gamuda nine sen to RM5.10.
Nikkei 225 rose 0.08% to 19,923.67
Hong Kong Hang Seng Index rose 0.86% to 27,507.90
Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index rose 1.5% to 4,094.72
Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Index rose 0.33% to 9,649.37
Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI Index rose 0.5% to 2,098.24
Straits Times Index STI rose 0.3% to 3,482.81
Crude oil (WTI) rose 12 cents to US$51.76 and Brent rose three cents to US$57.90.
Spot gold fell US$2.67 to US$1,204.92
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