Fresh corporate news helped also helped nudge the 30-stock FBM KLCI towards the 1,210 level, with gains in LPI, PPB, BAT, CIMB and Genting. However, trading volume was relatively thin with focus on the big cap stocks.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up 12.54 points to 1,209. The spot futures were at 1,213.5. Turnover was 352.54 million shares valued at RM614.55 million.  There were 360 gainers, 163 losers and 241 counters unchanged.

Japan's Nikkei 225 rose 1.65% to 10,482.25, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index added 2.13% to 21,294.61 and Singapore's Straits Times Index up 2% to 2,702.05.  However, Shanghai's Composite Index fell 0.94% to 2,918.56.

Light crude oil continued its upward trend, adding 79 cents to US$72.10 while crude palm oil futures rose RM40 to RM2,205.

At Bursa, Genting Bhd rose 17 sen to RM7.04 but the call warrants Genting-CN fell eight sen to 82 sen, Genting Singapore-C1 down 2.5 sen to 38.5 sen while at the Singapore Exchange, Genting Singapore lost two cents to S$1.17.

LPI was the top gainer, adding 36 sen to RM12.10, BAT 32 sen to RM45.32, IJM 31 sen to RM6.27, Tanjong 30 sen to RM15.84, Top Glove 22 sen to RM7.28 and Astro 21 sen to RM3.71.

Among plantation related stocks, PPB added 32 sen to RM16 and Far East 18 sen to RM6.40. CIMB was the best performer among banks, adding 22 sen to RM10.70. BToto rose 12 sen to RM4.44.

KNM was the most active with 48.6 million shares done, adding 0.5 sen to 73 sen.

Panasonic Malaysia was the top loser, down 10 sen to RM12.70 while Carlsberg lost nine sen to RM4.40, Nestle and TSR Cap six sen each to RM33.88 and RM1.25.