KLCI advances in line with key regional markets

KUALA LUMPUR: Genting Bhd, Petronas Gas and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) underpinned the FBM KLCI's firm performance on Tuesday amid a weak broader market.

At 5pm, the 30-stock index was up 2.04 points to 1,629.32. The benchmark index opened 0.87 of a point at 1,628.15.

The broader market was weaker with decliners outpacing advancers. There were 344 gainers versus 410 losers while 365 stocks remained unchanged. Turnover was at 1.495 billion shares valued at RM1.81bil.

Among the top gainers at Bursa Malaysia, British American Tobacco surged RM1.06 to RM45, Petronas Gas rose 30 sen to RM21.50, Carlsberg added 24 sen to RM14.60 and Genting Bhd accumulated 21 sen to RM8.16.

The decliners included MaybankC26, Gamuda-C32 and Hong Leong Financial Group.

Bernama reported that ringgit ended almost flat against the US dollar as the recovery in selected commodity prices capped losses

At 6 pm, the local unit was traded at 4.4170/4250 against the greenback from 4.4170/4230 on Monday.

Brent crude was last traded at US$49.85 per barrel while US crude traded at US$47.49 per barrel.

Among the key regional markets:

Japan’s Nikkei 225 is up 0.31% to 18,162.94;

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 1.43% to 22,678.07;

Shanghai Composite Index added 0.94% to 3,248.35;

Taiwan’s Taiex gained 1.02% to 9,133.39;

South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.89% to 1,983.47 and;

Singapore’s Straits Times Index is accumulated 0.2% to 2,822.20 points.