Telcos, banks lead KLCI higher, broader market lacklustre

KUALA LUMPUR: Telcos and banks led the FBM KLCI marginally higher on
Friday, underpinned by some mild fund buying amid a broader lacklustre
market.
Most key regional markets fell following the European Central Bank's lack of action to stem the euro zone debt crisis.
The FBM KLCI closed up 1.59 points to 1,635.04, boosted by DiGi. Turnover was 950.49 million shares valued at RM1.53bil. There were 333 gainers, 402 losers and 345 counters unchanged.
Among
the key regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.13% to 8,555.11;
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index shed 0.12% to 19,666.18; Taiwan's Taiex
lost 0.69% to 7,217.51 and South Korea's Kospi 1.11% lower at 1,848.68.
Singapore's Straits Times Index was just 0.5% up at 3,051.33 and Shanghai's Composite Index 1.02% higher at 2,132.80.
However,
in Europe, investors took an opposite view of the ECB's stance. Wire
reports said investors judged the European Central Bank remained
committed to bold action to fight the debt crisis.
European
stocks rose in the morning, erasing most of the previous day's pullback
and resuming a week-long rally. Markets were also awaiting US jobs data
that could fuel expectations of further stimulus from the Federal
Reserve.
US light crude oil rose 92 cents to US$88.05 and Brent 90 cents to US$106.80. Spot gold added US$7.15 to US$1,595.20.
The ringgit weakened against the US dollar to 3.1297.
Crude palm oil for third-month futures fell RM4 to RM2,942.
At Bursa Malaysia, DiGi rose 16 sen to RM4.61, pushing the KLCI up 2.9 points; Maxis added 13 sen to RM6.63 and TM five sen to RM5.75. Axiata was unchanged at RM5.90.
F&N was the top gainer, rising to a fresh high of RM20.86, up 86 sen on market talk Coca-Cola Co might be keen in the beverage business of Singapore-listed Fraser & Neave Ltd (F&N Singapore).
Public Bank rose 22 sen to RM14.38 and Public Bank-OR 32 sen to RM14.50, Maybank four sen to RM8.84 and CIMB three sen to RM7.92.
Petronas Dagangan added 70 sen to RM21.96 while Petronas Chemical added five sen to RM6.60 but PetGas fell
Patimas was the most active with 74.31 million shares done, unchanged at 3.5 sen. IHH lost one sen to RM3.15.
Among plantations, PPB fell 44 sen to RM14.46, Tradewinds Plantations 11 sen to RM4.74 while IOI shed eight sen to RM5.18.
MMHE
lost 28 sen to RM5.10 after posting weaker second quarter earnings and
saw some analysts lowering their outlook for the stock.