KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 1): The FBM KLCI rose 0.46% at midday break, but the benchmark index remained below the 1,770 level, as broader sentiment stayed negative.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI rose 8.15 points to 1,768.18. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,769.52.

Losers led gainers by 374 to 225, while 478 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 992.39 million shares, valued at RM922.19 million.

The top gainers included United Plantations Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Chin Teck Plantations Bhd, PLB Engineering Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd and KESM Industries Bhd.

The actives included Sumatec Resources Bhd, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd (LCT), Kronologi Asia Bhd, ManagePay Systems Bhd, Sterling Progress Bhd, JAB Bhd, UMW Oil & Gas Corp Bhd and Hubline Bhd.

The top losers included Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, LCT, Nestle (M) Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Pos Malaysia Bdh and MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd.

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

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.5%, led by gains in financials and energy shares, while Tokyo's Nikkei rose 0.2%, Reuters said.

Affin Hwang IB vice president and head of retail research Datuk Dr Nazri Khan Adam Khan said the FBM KLCI Index and stocks in Bursa Malaysia are anticipated to firm up further, as ringgit continues to strengthen against U.S dollar which tumbled overnight to its lowest levels since May 2016, following the dismissal of Anthony Scaramucci, the White House Communication Director, by US President Donald Trump.

“Furthermore, ringgit is also tipped to improve further, as market talks about the probable of massive investment by China into Malaysia’s key infrastructure projects — China President is scheduled to visit Malaysia in October.

“The small and mid-cap stocks are expected to increase their rotational play, whilst steady accumulation on quality large cap [is] anticipated to continue,” Dr Nazri said.