KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9): The main index at Bursa Malaysia ended on a lacklustre note in the morning session Friday and drifted lower as select index-linked stocks dragged against the backdrop of firmer regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI shed 0.59 points to 1,518.84. The index had earlier slipped to a low of 1,512.74.

Gainers were ahead of losers by 390 to 235, while 641 counters traded unchanged. Trading volume was 4.27 billion shares valued at RM1.55 billion.

The decliners included Nestle (M) Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included Advance Synergy Bhd, Malayan United Industries Bhd, AT Systematization Bhd, Parkson Holdings Bhd and MUI Properties Bhd.

The gainers included Heineken Malaysia Bhd, BLD Plantation Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, HeiTech Padu Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd and MISC Bhd.

Reuters said Asian shares inched close to 2½-year highs on Friday as revived hopes for a US stimulus deal eclipsed weaker-than-expected jobs data, while mainland Chinese markets jumped after a week-long holiday.

Investors are also increasingly expecting the Democrats to take back the White House, and possibly the Senate as well, in the Nov 3 US election, analysts said, it said.