KLCI closes Wednesday higher, plantations lift

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI closed Wednesday firmer from a last minute push by plantation counters, as the crude palm oil futures hit above RM2,700 – the highest since Sept 2012.

At 5pm, the KLCI closed up 4.21 points to 1,829.45. Turnover was 3.28 billion shares valued at RM2.39bil. There were 509 gainers, 344 decliners and 304 counters unchanged.

Reuters reported Asian share markets were in hesitant mood on Wednesday as investors keep a wary eye on interest rates in China, though the euro left the dollar in its dust after soft US economic data argued for the Federal Reserve to be patient on stimulus.

It said the action was light, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan barely budging. Seoul lost 0.4%, but Sydney edged higher on solid earnings results.

At Bursa Malaysia, IOI Corp rose 25 sen to RM4.60 and KL Kepong 90 sen to RM24.50, adding 2.9 points and 1.7 points each to the index.

PetGas rose 30 sen to RM23.50 but PetDag fell 18 sen to RM30.24.

MAHB rose 31 sen to RM8.49.

Financial counters fell with Allianz down 38 sen to RM11.72, HLCap 14 sen to RM10 and RHB Cap 13 sen to RM7.70.