KUALA LUMPUR (April 26): The FBM KLCI remained on course to close higher for the fourth day running but stayed shy of the 1,770-point resistance level at the midday break today.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI rose 3.04 points to 1,768.84. The index had earlier risen to its intra-morning high of 1,769.68.

Gainers led losers by 444 to 353, while 396 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.99 billion shares valued at RM1.34 billion.

The top gainers included Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, DanaInfra Nasional Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Kawan Food Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Mega First Corp Bhd, Success Transformer Corp Bhd, Genting Bhd and Heineken Malaysia Bhd.

The actives included Key Alliance Group Bhd, Dagang NeXchange Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Frontken Corp Bhd, IFCA MSC Bhd, Anzo Holdings Bhd and Green Packet Bhd.

Asian stocks extended gains for a fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, as renewed optimism about the world's biggest economy brightened the outlook for risk assets while the euro held on to previous gains as political concerns in France ebbed, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3%, hovering near their highest since June 2015. Stock markets in Japan and Australia led gainers, it said.

Kenanga IB Research said regional markets ended higher on Tuesday, after the first round of France's presidential election stoked a global rally.

It said on the domestic front, the FBM KLCI reopened from the extended weekend with a 9.75-point or 0.56% gain at 1,765.80.

The research house said sentiment on the broader market was also positive, with 559 gainers outweighing the 388 decliners and 377 counters which traded unchanged.

"Chart-wise, the FBM KLCI's primary trend is positive with the key SMAs on the rise and the benchmark notching a fresh two-year high yesterday.

"At the same time, both the MACD and the RSI indicators have also climbed higher within bullish territory.

"Hence, expect bias to remain on the upside from here. Next up, we expect some resistance at 1,776 (R1) and 1,800 (R2) while downside support levels are 1,760 (S1) and 1,743 (S2)," it said.