Maybank, Tenaga drive KLCI higher

by **Cals** Mon 18 Nov 2013, 15:26

Published: Monday November 18, 2013 MYT 12:51:00 PM
Updated: Monday November 18, 2013 MYT 12:51:53 PM
Maybank, Tenaga drive KLCI higher

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI ended Monday’s morning session higher supported by Maybank and Tenaga as investors were encouraged by the firmer Asian equities and fresh China data.
At 12.30, the KLCI rose 4.37 points to 1,794.24. Turnover was 811.08 million valued at RM785.84mil. The broader market was weaker with 326 gainers, 348 decliners and 307 counters unchanged.
Reuters reported Asian share markets crept cautiously higher on Monday, encouraged both by the prospect of extended stimulus in the United States and real economic reform in China.
It said a weaker yen helped Tokyo's Nikkei add another 0.2% to reach a six-month peak. The index amassed its biggest weekly rise in four years last week.
At Bursa Malaysia, Berjaya Auto, which made its debut on the Main Market on Monday rose RM1.26 to RM1.96 in heavy trade, with some 61.44 million shares traded.
Focal rose 26 sen to RM2.46, Bumi Armada 15 sen to RM3.94 and DSonic 47 sen to RM8.02.
Crude palm oil fell RM25 sen to RM2,589. KL Kepong rose 38 sen to RM23.68, Genting Plantations 28 sen to RM11.54 but United Plantations fell 40 sen to RM26.50 and BLD Plantations 20 sen to RM8.80.
Consumer stocks were mixed with Nestle up 18 sen to RM69.40 but GAB was down 22 sen to RM16.36 and Dutch Lady 18 sen to RM46.82.
The ringgit strengthened against the dollar at 3.1949 from 3.2023 the previous close.
Among the key regional markets,
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.21% to 15,197.37;
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.17% to 23,532.47;
Shanghai’s Composite Index rose 1.39% to 2,165.61;
Taiwan’s Taiex rose 0.26% to 8.198.35;
South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.38% to 2,013.19;
Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.25% to 3,209.21
US light crude oil fell 27 sen to US$93.57 and Brent US$108.24.
Spot gold fell US$3.01 to US$1,287.16