KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 7): The FBM KLCI gained 0.39% at the midday break in line with the advance at most regional markets, lifted by select blue chips.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI rose 6.48 points to 1,674.35.

Gainers led losers by 387 to 312, while 327 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 981.35 million shares valued at RM712.66 million.

The top gainers included Top Glove Corporation Bhd, PPG Group Bhd, Inari Amertron Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Bnk Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Can-One Bhd and Kobay Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included 1 Utopia Bhd, Genetec Technology Bhd, XOX Bhd, Instacom Group Bhd, RGB International Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Frontken Corporation Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Bhd and APFT Bhd.

The top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Far East Corporation Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, APM Automotive Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery (M) Holdings Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd and Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd.

Asian share markets bounced on Monday after Wall Street welcomed an upbeat U.S. jobs report that suggested the world's biggest economy was well placed to handle an expected first increase in interest rates in almost a decade, according to Reuters.

Oil prices were near their lowest since 2009 in the wake of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' decision to keep production high despite depressed demand, it said.

AffinHwang Capital Research said the overall market was anticipated to test resistances and trend higher this week onward.

“Better than expected economic headlines locally as well as globally, outperforms concern on China’s slowing down.

“Technically, more bullish patterns have unfolded hence anticipated to back strong year end rally in the near future,” it said.