KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19): The FBM KLCI rose 0.53% at midday break today, tracking the broad-based uptrend at regional markets, while staying above the crucial 1,800-point level.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up 9.68 points to 1,802.62.

Gainers led losers by 433 to 303, while 1,147 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.15 billion shares, valued at RM871.45 million.

Top gainers included Hong Leong Bank Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd, Mi Equipment Holdings Bhd, Padini Holdings Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd and LPI Capital Bhd.

The actives included Sapura Energy Bdh, My EG Services Bhd, Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd, Nova MSC Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Vizione Holdings Bhd and XOX Bhd.

The losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Tasek Corp Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, New Hoong Fatt Holdings Bhd, Hartelega Holdings Bhd and Nestle (M) Bhd.

Asian stocks rose across the board and long-term U.S. Treasury yields hovered near four-month highs on Wednesday, with investors looking past the latest escalation in the U.S.-China trade feud, seen by some market participants as less severe than expected, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.7%, Reuters said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index closed lower yesterday (down 10.82 points).

“Performance bogged down by selling in heavy-weight counters like CIMB & RHB. Nonetheless, anticipate markets to open higher today, in tandem with global markets.

“The FBM KLCI Index may experience downward bias in the near-term,” the research house said.