KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 ― The bellwether FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) opened lower this morning, but turned higher thereafter, in the face of lingering sentiment over the decline in oil prices which appeared to weigh on investors.

At 9.11am, the FBM KLCI rose 3.87 points to 1,721.95 from yesterday's close of 1,718.08. It had opened 4.25 points lower at 1,713.83.

Gainers led losers 131 to 91, with 175 counters unchanged, 1,312 untraded and 18 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 130.22 million shares worth RM55.68 million.                

JF Apex Securities in a note said the local equity market lost 7.16 points at 1718.08 points yesterday, following the bearish performance of markets in the US and Europe.

“We expect the FBM KLCI to decline today towards its support of 1700 points,” it added.

Among heavyweights, IHH Healthcare and MISC each increased eight sen to RM6.71 and RM8.96 respectively. PPB Group eased two sen to RM16.42, while KLCC Property & Reits and Digi.com were unchanged at RM7.13 and RM4.88.

Of the top losers, Petronas Gas declined 18 sen to RM21.70, KLK fell 16 sen to RM23.94, Ajiya gave up 13 sen to RM3.30, Petronas Dagangan shed eight sen to RM23.82 and Malaysia Airports Holdings slid seven sen to RM6.58.

Among top gainers, Scientex accumulated 26 sen to RM13.26, Hong Leong Bank firmed 20 sen to RM13.60, TNB added 16 sen to RM14.26, Time Dotcom bagged 10 sen for RM7.34 and Karex was nine sen higher at RM4.11.        

The FBM Emas Index increased 20.47 points to 11,958.04, the FBMT100 Index improved 21.05 points to 11,656.12 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 17.82 points to 12,542.69.

The FBM Ace lost 11.54 points for 5,656.74 and the FBM 70 gained 5.47 points to 13,297.39.

Sector-wise, the Plantation Index declined 8.74 points to 7,836.95, the Finance Index was 42.93 points higher at 14,819.05, and the Industrial Index skidded 6.66 points to 3,258.71. ― Bernama