KLCI above 1,650, Petronas stocks, KLK up

KUALA LUMPUR: Blue chips started the new month on a firm note on
Monday, with the FBM KLCI crossing the important 1,650 level in early
trade, lifted by gains in Petronas-related stocks and KL Kepong.
At
9.26am, the KLCI was up 5.16 points to 1,651.27. Turnover was 142.25
million shares valued at RM118.38mil. There were 177 gainers, 110
losers and 166 counters unchanged.
However, Asian stocks fell,
with the regional benchmark index headed for the lowest close in a
month, as economic reports from New Zealand to South Korea, Japan and
China stoked concern that the region's economy is slowing, Bloomberg
reported.
At Bursa Malaysia, United Plantations rose 38 sen to RM26.90 with 100 shares done while KLK gained 22 sen to RM23.46.
Datasonic, which made its debut on the Main Board, was steady at RM2.30, up 30 sen with 6.79 million shares done.
APM rose 31 sen to RM4.97, Aeon Credit 20 sen to RM13.30 and F&N 18 sen to RM20.08. Petronas Gas and Petronas Dagangan added 10 sen each to RM19.48 and RM22.50.
Petrol One fell the most, down 10.5 sen to 41 sen, BAT eight sen lower at RM63.70, Favco six sen to RM1.65 while Maxis shed five sen to RM6.99.