KUALA LUMPUR (July 21): The FBM KLCI notched up limited gains at the midday break today, amidst choppy trading in the absence of fresh catalysts at the local market.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up 2.25 points to 1,726.38. The index had earlier risen to 1,726.78.

Gainers led losers by 377 to 265, while 289 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 831.06 million shares valued at RM557.58 million.

The top gainers included Danainfra Nasional Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd, Panasonic Malaysia Manufacturing Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, APM Automotive Bhd, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd, Sasbadi Holdings Bhd and MISC Bhd.

The actives included APFT Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Nexgram Holdings Bhd, AirAsia Bhd, Karambunai Corporation Bhd and Evergreen Fibreboard Bhd.

The top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Pharmaniaga Holdings Bhd, Pos Malaysia Bhd, Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares edged higher on Tuesday, taking heart from fresh highs on Wall Street, while gold prices took back some lost ground after plunging more than 4 percent to five-year lows in the previous session, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was last up about 0.2 percent, after wavering between positive and negative territory for much of early trading, it said.

BIMB Securities Research said that regionally, key indexes ended mostly lower on Monday. However, it said Chinese stocks extended its three-day winning streak, after the Chinese government's recent drastic supportive measures to tighten its stock market trading.

“Back home, the FBM KLCI closed lower on thin volume, losing 2.60 points or 0.15% to 1,724.13, held down mainly by telco and banking stocks.

“Trading participation saw net selling by foreign institutions and local retail, while local institutions were net buyers.

“We expect the local market to gain buying interest today, with improved global sentiment, with immediate resistance at 1,730,” it said.