KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): The FBM KLCI reversed its earlier loss and advanced at mid-morning today in line with the higher regional markets.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI rose 4.27 points to 1,721.28.

The gainers included DanaInfra Nasional Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Time dotCom Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Southern Acids Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd and Bursa Malaysia Bhd.

The actives included Malaysian Bulk Carriers Bhd, Vivocom International Holdings Bhd, Kanger International Bhd, SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd, AirAsia Bhd and Bioalpha Holdings Bhd.

The top losers included Petronas Gas Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

Asian share markets edged ahead on Thursday after a sharp rise in oil prices whetted risk appetites and boosted Wall Street, with even Japanese stocks regaining a little ground despite a rising yen, according to Reuters.

The dollar also stayed under pressure after minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting showed many participants wanted to move cautiously on rate hikes, partly because there was little room to ease policy should things turn for the worse, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said it expects local key bourse to trend higher today amid jump in crude oil prices, surge in Dow overnight and sinking expectation for interest rate hike.

"We believe that today is the day of O&G (oil and gas) counters given the surge in crude oil prices overnight, which could lead to strong bullish momentum in O&G counters.

"Hence, traders are advised to watch out for O&G stocks for trading purposes," it said.