KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16): The FBM KLCI remained firmly above the 1,710-point level at the midday break today, in line with the gains at most regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI rose 2 points to 1,715.25.

Gainers led losers by 382 to 336, while 318 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.37 billion shares valued at RM838.77 million.

The top gainers included Danainfra Nasional Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment Bhd, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Panasonic Malaysia Manufacturing Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Asia File Corporation Bhd, Ajiya Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd.

The top actives included MQ Technology Bhd, XOX Bhd, Wintoni Group Bhd, Frontken Corporation Bhd, PUC Founder Bhd, AirAsia Bhd, China Automobile Parts Holdings Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd and Vsolar Group Bhd.

The top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery (M) Holdings Bhd, Amway (M) Holdings Bhd, Teck Guan Perdana Bhd and Genting Malaysia Bhd.

Asian shares hit a two-month high on Friday, catching some of Wall Street's shine after upbeat U.S. price and jobless claims data calmed some concerns about the strength of the U.S. economy, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.4 percent, on track for a robust weekly gain of 2.2 percent, it said.

BIMB Securities Research said that in Asia, equities all performed credibly yesterday scaling into positive territory buoyed by the return of foreign funds.

It said that locally the FBM KLCI gained 2.11 points at 1,713.25 again with foreign funds making its presence felt.

“Yesterday we saw another net foreign inflow of RM48.2 million into the local bourse making it a 7th straight days of net foreign inflows.

“We expect such momentum to continue with the 1,720 as the immediate target,” it said.