KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 1): The FBM KLCI rose 0.35% at mid-morning today, lifted by select blue chips in line with the uptrend at most regional markets.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI rose 6.18 points to 1,766.21.

The top gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Magni-Tech Industries Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment Bhd and JF Technology Bhd.

The actives included Sumatec Resources Bhd, ManagePay Systems Bhd, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd (LCT), JAG Bhd, Kronologi Asia Bhd, Aemulus Holdings Bhd and Frontken Corp Bhd.

The losers included Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysi Bhd, LCT, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, HCK Capital Group Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Pos Malaysia Bhd and Time Dotcom Bhd.

Asian shares ticked up in early Tuesday trade as investors looked to a barrage of economic data around the world to confirm recent signs the global economy is in robust health with inflation staying well contained, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.1 percent, while Tokyo's Nikkei rose 0.4 percent, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research in a traders’ brief today said despite the Dow recording new highs over the past few trading days, investors remained cautious with the rich valuations on technology giants which may contribute to further profit taking activities on the broader market.

It said possible weakness may be seen if S&P500 and Nasdaq breach below the support levels of 2,460 and 6,310 respectively.

“Meanwhile, tracking the mixed sentiments on the Wall Street, stocks on the local front may remain subdued with a negative market breadth amid further potential profit taking activities on the broader market in the absence of leading catalyst to excite the market over the near term,” it said.