KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): The FBM KLCI extended its gains this morning in line with the advance at regional markets.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI rose 5.86 points to 1,720.90.

The top gainers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd. PPB Group Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, George Kent (Malaysia) Bhd, Genting Plantations Bhd and UMW Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares gained on Wednesday as markets scaled back expectations for how fast and far U.S. interest rates might rise this year, bruising the dollar and boosting sovereign bonds, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan firmed 0.7 percent, while the Australian market bounced 0.6 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets ended higher overnight after a dovish comment by Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen.

It said that similarly, European stocks climbed after Yellen's cautious stance following weak inflation and consumer spending data.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI surged 12.63 points to 1715.04 points on foreign interest.

“Following the positive performance in the US, the FBM KLCI is expected to extend its rebound with resistance at 1745 points,” it said.