KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 7): The FBM KLCI rose 0.43% in early trade this morning, lifted by select index-linked blue chips including Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Public Bank Bhd.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI gained 7,24 points to 1,690.85.

The early gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Tenaga Nasional, Public Bank, Bursa Malaysia Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, Focus Lumber Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd.

Asian share markets were in a muted mood on Thursday and looked set for a sleepy session with China still on holiday and no major economic data on the diary, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was little moved in early trade after ending almost unchanged on Wednesday, it said.

Kenanga IB Research said shares in major Asian market closed mixed with subdued trading as few markets were closed ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays.

“Our local bourse only open trading for half-day on Monday, which saw the FBM KLCI gained a mere 0.08 point to close at 1,683.61.

“We maintain our neutral outlook, as the index remains above the 20 and 50 day-SMAs but other momentum indicators are starting to show signs of slowing down.

“A positive outcome from the trade talk may see the index trend higher to its resistances at 1,730 (R1) and 1,800 (R2). Should the index break below both the 20 and 50-day SMA, support levels can be identified at 1,650 (S1) and 1,600 (S2),” it said.