KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): The FBM KLCI remained in positive territory at mid-morning today, in line with the gains at most regional markets.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI rose 4.93 points to 1,668.97.

The top gainers included Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, DRB-Hicom Bhd, KLCC Property Holdings Bhd and MNRB Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Malaysia Building Society Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, TH Heavy Engineering Bhd, Green Packet Bhd, Dagang NeXchange Bhd and PDZ Holdings Bhd.

The losers included Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Lay Hong Bhd, Tasek Corporation Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, P.I.E. Industrial Bhd and Mesiniaga Bhd.

Asian shares rose on Monday and the dollar stood tall after a stronger-than-expected July jobs report lifted confidence in the strength of the US economy — heightening expectations that the US Federal Reserve could hike interest rates this year, according to Reuters.

July nonfarm payrolls rose by 255,000 jobs and the June increase was revised upward to 292,000, the Labor Department said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast July payrolls would increase by 180,000, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said the rally in Dow Jones Industrial Average last Friday may boost market sentiment today and spur the FBM KLCI to retest 1,675–1,684 territory this week further but strong upside may be capped, given the global growth concern and lack of fresh re-rating catalysts and ongoing Aug reporting season.

"Key supports are 1,650–1,655," it said.