KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): The FBM KLCI got off to a flat start this morning while regional markets advanced following firmer overnight close at Wall Street.

At 9.02am, the FBM KLCI edged up 0.96 points to 1,718.78.

The top gainers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Lay Hong Bhd, Sapura Industries Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Hong Leong Ban Bhd and CAN Cakaran Corporation Bhd.

Asian shares rose on Thursday, taking early cues from Wall Street gains overnight, as receding worries of near-term U.S. interest rate hikes continued to buoy risk sentiment, according to Reuters.

The dollar hovered near seven-week lows versus the euro as cautious comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen earlier in the week on monetary tightening continued to resonate, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said that US markets gained overnight following the Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen's dovish comment on interest rate hike.

It said that similarly, European stocks rallied over the Fed's cautious stance and surge in commodity counters.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI ended 2.78 points higher at 1717.82 points after coming off an intra-day high of 1724.13 points.

“Following the bullish performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI is expected to be positive today and retest its resistance of 1727 points,” it said.