KUALA LUMPUR (July 14): The FBM KLCI jumped in the final trading minutes for a 1.22 point or 0.1% gain as index-linked Genting Bhd shares climbed to its intraday high.  

At 5pm, the KLCI settled at 1,755 points after falling to its intraday low at 1,751.69 points. Genting shares added 31 sen to close at RM9.55 to become Bursa Malaysia's second largest gainer.

Across Bursa Malaysia, 2.38 billion shares valued at RM1.91 billion changed hands. Gainers trailed decliners at 363 versus 431 respectively.

Analysts said Bursa Malaysia-listed companies with small-capitalisation (small caps) appeared to be on investors' radar based on the exchange's total share trade volume and value.

“The daily traded volume may have picked up from the average of between 1.5 billion and 1.7 billion to 2.38 billion today. It seems like there has been buying interest in the [small caps] and lower liners,” TA Securities Holdings Bhd senior technical analyst Stephen Soo told theedgemarkets.com.

“Still, the pick-up in volume seen today does not reflect total improvement in the local stock index,” Soo said.

Asian shares rose. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.09%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.16% and South Korea's Kospi  climbed 0.21%.

Reuters reported that global stocks scaled record highs on Friday, with Asian equities rising for the fifth straight session, as signs the Federal Reserve will pursue a gradual rate tightening path and hopes of a strong earnings season lifted appetite for risky assets.