KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia's benchmark stock index remained a third of a percent higher at midday as easing tensions between the US and China buoyed investor sentiment, while US President Donald Trump inked trade agreements during his visit to Kuala Lumpur.
At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up 5.31 points to 1,618.58, amid an uptick in tech and plantation stocks.
Despite the interest in blue chips, the overall market remained negative with 510 decliners outpacing 476 gainers. Volume was 2.25 billion shares crossing for a value of RM1.47bil.
Plantations stocks rose 0.93% with Kuala Lumpur Keping gaining 34 sen to RM20.86, United Plantations rising 40 sen to RM24.40 and PPB gaining 32 sen to RM11.52.
Tech counters were driven 1.08% higher. Gainers included MPI up 70 sen to RM30.68, Inari Amertron
risig eight sen to RM2.59 and Pentamaster gaining eight sen to RM4.23.
On the ACE Market, newcomer Insights Analytics, jumped 32 sen to 68 sen with the morning session's leading turnover of 165 million shares.
Other actives included TWL down 0.5 sen to two sen and L&G shedding 0.5 sen to 16 sen.
Regionally, Japan's Nikkei led the rally after jumping 2.14% to 50,352 on growth optimism under Japan's new prime minister, as well as improving relations between the US and China.
South Korea's Kospi was also at a historical high, rising 1.71% to 4,009.
Meanwhile, Shanghai's composite index rose 1.04% to 3,991 and the blue-chip CSI300 gained 1.06% to 4,709, following the latest trade developments.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 1.02% to 26,427.
