Thursday, February 17, 2011

KLCI closes higher amid cautious sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI extended its positive run for the third consecutive trading day on Thursday, Feb 17 and edged up at the close, lifted by gains at banking stocks and select blue chips.

Regional markets were mixed as Asian shares eked out modest gains for the second consecutive day on Thursday after the Federal Reserve offered a cautiously optimistic view of the U.S. economy, while oil prices edged higher on growing tensions in the Middle East, according to Reuters.

Stocks in most of Asia ex-Japan also edged higher with buying across the materials, consumers and the energy sectors, though benchmark indexes fell in Singapore and South Korea , where the government unveiled cash support for troubled saving banks, it said.

The FBM KLCI edged up 0.15% or 2.26 points to close at 1,508.56.

Market breadth, however, was negative with losers beating gainers by 536 to 292, while 282 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.74 billion shares valued at RM1.76 billion.

At the regional markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.63% to 23,301.84, Jaoan's Nikkei 225 added 0.26% to 10,836.64 and the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.10% to 2,926.96, while South Korea's Kospi fell 0.60% to 1,977.22, Singapore's Straits Times lost 0.38% to 3,082.83 and Taiwan's Taiex shed 0.33% to 8,683.88.

Among the major gainers, RHB Capital added 11 sen to RM8.12, Hong Leong Bank 10 sen to RM9.50, AMMB eight sen to RM6.32, CIMB seven sen to RM8.17, Public Bank six sen to RM13.06 and Maybank three sen to RM8.50.

Axiata added nine sen to RM5.08, Petronas Chemicals five sen to RM6.15 and Petronas Dagangan up 20 sen to RM12.70, and Kulim 62 sen to RM15, Cycle & Carriage 18 sen to RM4.92.

Glove makers also advanced, with Top Glove added 15 sen to RM5.17, Supermax 14 sen to RM4.38 and Hartalega up 12 sen to RM6.02.

Decliners included BAT, Pharmaniaga, MAHB, Nestle, Dutch Lady, Perstima and IOI Corporation, while the actives included SAAG, Tanco, Scomi, Iris, Olympia and Karambunai.

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