KUALA LUMPUR (July 21): The FBM KLCI was up 0.59% at the midday break, lifted by select blue chips, in line with the uptrend at regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI rose 9.35 points to 1,598.80. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,601.81.

Gainers led losers by 367 to 260, while 716 counters traded unchanged. Trading volume was relatively subdued with 5.45 billion shares traded valued at RM2.69 billion. At the midday break on Monday, trading volume had surged to 8.06 billion shares valued at RM3.14 billion.

The top gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Greatech Technology Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, UWC Bhd, Mi Technovation Bhd, JF Technology Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Pentamaster Corp Bhd and Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included Priceworth International Bhd, XOX Bhd, Daya Materials Bhd, Lambo Group Bhd, Nexgram Holdings Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Ikhmas Jaya Group Bhd, JCY International Bhd and DGB Asia Bhd.

The decliners included Supermax Corp Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd and Gromutual Bhd.

Reuters said Asian shares advanced on Tuesday as prospects of a deal by European Union leaders to jointly fund the recovery of their economies and hopes for a coronavirus vaccine lifted risk appetite.

Japan's Nikkei rose 0.6% while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan gained 1.5% to edge near its four-month peak hit earlier this month, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets rose overnight following gains in technology counters and positive development in coronavirus vaccine.

It said earlier, European stocks climbed after positive results from a potential coronavirus vaccine.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 6.88 points to 1,589.45 points.

“Following the positive performances in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could climb towards its resistance of 1,615 points,” it said.