KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 ― Bursa Malaysia retreated from earlier losses to end the morning session slightly higher supported by emerging buying activity in selected blue-chip counters, dealers said.

At 12.30pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) stood at 1,672.69, up 0.98 point, against yesterday's close of 1,671.71.

The index opened 2.84 points lower at 1,668.87.

Gainers led decliners 338 to 324 while 366 counters were unchanged, 665 untraded and 24 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 1.21 billion shares worth RM642.14 million.    

A dealer said most Asian shares were mixed in early trade today as investors remained cautious over the oil prices ahead of the release of Chinese data later in the week.

China is expected to release a series of data on Friday, including on  industrial production, fixed asset investment and retail sales.

The FBM Emas Index rose 15.74 points to 11,759.86, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 23.14 points to 12,398.46 and the FBMT100 Index perked 14.38 points to 11,457.20.

The FBM 70 was up 44.92 points at 13,558.80 and the FBM Ace advanced 30.48 points to 5,463.01.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index recovered 6.31 points to 14,341.78, the Industrial Index firmed 3.13 points to 3,157.26 while the Plantation Index was 23.41 points lower at 7,627.81.

Of the heavyweights, TNB reduced four sen to RM14.58, Maybank lessened two sen to RM7.98 while Public Bank accumulated 24 sen to RM19.60 and IHH Healthcare expanded 10 sen to RM6.65.

Among actives, HSS Engineering improved 6.5 sen to 56.5 sen, Dagang Nexchange and Hubline were flat at 21.5 sen and one sen respectively, while MBSB retreated one sen to 87.5 sen. ― Bernama