KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — Shares on Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session firmer, led by oil and gas related counters, amid rising optimism of an improving economic outlook, dealers said.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 8.93 points to 1,835.54 at 12.30pm, after opening at 1,825.42.

Regionally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose to 15,912.06 while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined to 22,832.03 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index slid to 3,138.37.

Petronas Gas Bhd was the biggest gainer after its shares added 40 sen to RM23.40, followed by Hong Leong Capital Bhd which rose 38 sen to RM11.38 and Petronas Dagangan which put on 34 sen to RM30.42.

On the scoreboard, the Finance Index increased 69.83 points to 16,800.85, the Plantation Index rose 11.96 points to 8,636.31 and the Industrial Index was 24.78 points higher at 3,112.19.

The FBM Emas Index surged 46.62 points to 12,706.06, the FBMT100 Index perked up 46.91 points to 12,406.86, the FBM Ace garnered 17.88 points to 5,979.06, but the FBM 70 eased 0.04 of a point to 14,093.49.

Losers slightly led gainers by 357 to 351, with 852 counters unchanged.

Turnover totalled 1.066 billion shares worth RM750 million.

Among volume leaders, Iris Corporation added 2.5 sen at 41 sen, Daya Materials inched up 1.5 sen to 40 sen and Minetech gained half-a-sen to 21.5 sen.

Heavyweights, Maybank rose nine sen to RM9.90, Tenaga added 14 sen to RM11.72 but Axiata was flat at RM6.75. — Bernama