KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 11): The FBM KLCI pared some of its gains at the midday break Friday, as domestic investors appeared to await more guidance from Budget 2020, which will be tabled later in the afternoon, despite firmer regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI added 2.05 points to 1,553.92. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,556.28.

Gainers led losers by 307 to 190, while 545 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.14 billion shares valued at RM717.54 million.

The gainers included Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, MISC Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Guan Chong Bhd, G3 Global Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Pentamaster Corp Bhd, Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Green Packet Bhd, Ekovest Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, MNC Wireless Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd and Priceworth International Bhd.

The decliners included Nestle (M) Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Tien Wah Press Holdings Bhd, United Malacca Bhd and Enra Group Bhd.

Asian shares rose on Friday after US President Donald Trump said he would meet with China's top trade negotiator, stirring hopes for an agreement, while sterling was flat after earlier jumping on optimism over a potential Brexit deal, according to Reuters.

Investors' renewed appetite for riskier assets continued to weigh on the safe-haven yen and US Treasury prices, while oil stayed firm on comments about possible supply cuts from the head of OPEC, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index closed little changed in yesterday's session, up 0.64 points or 0.04%, closing at 1,551.87.

"Volatility remained low in yesterday's session as the index traded within a five-point range between a high of 1,553.18 and a low of 1,548.45.

"As sentiments surrounding the global market improve, we may see our local index follow in line today as well, backed by daily indicators which are indicating that prices are slightly overextended to the downside.

"Downward bias remains intact," it said.