Asian markets rally, KLCI surges past 1,730 at midday

KUALA LUMPUR: Key Asian markets and Bursa Malaysia chalked up solid gains at midday on Thursday after the US Fed hiked interest rates by 25 basis points as the increase was within expectations. 

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up 15.27 points or 0.89% to 1,732.63. Turnover was 1.82 billion shares valued at RM1.39bil. There were 524 gainers, 289 losers and 372 stocks unchanged.