KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 6): The FBM KLCI settled up five points or 0.33% at 1,517.43 before Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon break today as global markets rose on news US President Donald Trump was discharged from the hospital following treatment for Covid-19, although investors continued to weigh the economic impact of the outbreak.

Across Bursa at 12.30pm, 3.23 billion securities were traded for RM2.03 billion.

Globally, it was reported that Asian stock markets advanced to a two-week high today after Trump was discharged from the hospital following treatment for Covid-19 and as prospects of a fresh US stimulus package appeared to brighten.

It was reported that bonds and the US dollar nursed losses amid an improving risk appetite, while crude oil extended gains.

"US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose two cents to US$39.24 (RM163.10) a barrel at 0134 GMT. Brent crude futures rose eight cents, or 0.2%, to US$41.37 a barrel,” Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that an analyst said the tone of the overall market remained quiet and will continue to be so until more catalysts are provided.

With the number of Covid-19 cases in the country reaching a record high yesterday, she said there were fears of further lockdown measures — either statewide or involving the whole country.

Index-wise, technology remained the top performer on digitisation traction, while healthcare saw the biggest slide among all indices as profit taking occurred.

Among the heavyweights, Maxis Bhd added 16 sen to RM5.06, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd rose 14 sen to RM6.04, Sime Darby Bhd inched up six sen to RM2.36 and Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) gained nine sen to RM7.21.

Top gainers were dominated by tech stocks, namely UWC Bhd which rose 18 sen to RM6.66, VSTECS Bhd which strengthened 16 sen to RM2.08 and Pentamaster Corp Bhd which added 17 sen to RM5.31. 

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index rose 18.91 points to 10,944.76, while the FBM Emas Shariah Index slipped 6.84 points to 13,073.18.

The FBM 70 declined 52.47 points to 14,328.37, while the FBMT 100 Index improved 16.39 points to 10,765.53 and the FBM ACE was 48.86 points higher at 10,306.82.

Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index rose 89.08 points to 12,499.87. The Plantation Index slipped 0.09 point to 6,995.95, while the Industrial Products and Services Index was 0.95 point stronger at 140.94.