FBM KLCI opens higher

KUALA LUMPUR: The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) opened slightly higher this morning, driven by buying interest in selected bluechips and in line with the stronger overnight performance of Wall Street.
At 9.10am, it was 3.22 points better at 1,685.59 after opening 0.16 point higher at 1,682.53.
In a research note today, JF Apex Securities Bhd said it expects the key index to remain positive in tracking the gains on Wall Street.
"The FBM KLCI is expected to consolidate below the psychological level of 1,700 points," it added.
Among heavyweights, RHB Capital jumped 16 sen to RM5.94, TNB expanded eight sen to RM13.40, Petronas Dagangan gained 40 sen to RM25.40 and Petronas Chemicals improved four sen to RM6.84.
Of the actives, Iris Corp gained one sen to 25 sen, while 1 Utopia, China Stationery, Instacom, Wintoni and Priceworth International were all flat at five sen, 17.5 sen, 32 sen, eight sen and 15.5 sen respectively.
On the broader market, gainers trounced losers 207 to 72, with 170 counters unchanged, 1,319 untraded and nine others suspended.
Turnover stood at 139.50 million shares worth RM56.71 million.
On the scoreboards, the FBM Emas Index improved 24.18 points to 11,717.18, the FBMT100 Index was up 22.08 points to 11,400.28 and the FBM Emas Syariah Index rose 23.94 points to 12,605.47.
The FBM 70 edged up 34.47 points at 12,975.75 and the FBM Ace improved 37.53 points to 6,647.32.
On a sectoral basis, the Finance Index advanced 56.33 points to 14,256.96, the Industrial Index added 1.74 points to 3,303.98 and the Plantation Index eased 25.96 points for 7,541.69.
The physical price of gold as at 9.30am stood at RM140.23 per gramme, down 70 sen from RM140.93 at 5.00pm yesterday. – Bernama