KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — Bursa Malaysia extended its encouraging momentum to mid-morning today, lifted by buying activities in index-linked counters led by trade and services.

At 11am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced 5.32 points to 1,637.79 from yesterday’s close of 1,632.47, after opening 6.92 points better at 1,639.39.

On the broader market, gainers edged decliners 252 to 193, while 318 counters were unchanged, 936 untraded and 24 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 349.26 million shares worth RM311.61 million.

Kenanga Research, however, said in a note the FBM KLCI still lacks impetus for a near-term recovery and expects it to remain directionless with a downside bias.

Among heavyweights, Petronas Chemicals and MISC perked three sen to RM6.88 and RM7.32 respectively, Maybank and Public Bank were flat at RM7.89 and RM19.64, while TNB trimmed two sen to RM13.96.

Among actives, RGB International rose half-a-sen to 25 sen, Eversendai was up two sen to 55 sen, while JAG, KNM and Wintoni were flat at 11 sen, 32 sen, and four sen.

The FBM Emas Index improved 36.47 points to 11,431.31 and the FBMT100 Index was 37.55 points higher at 11,170, while the FBM Emas Shariah Index rose 44.04 points to 11,976.78.

The FBM Ace declined 21 points to 4,724.58, and the FBM 70 gained 48.45 points to 13,045.62.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index increased 23.24 points to 14,302.94, the Plantation Index edged up 12.47 points to 7,714.34 and the Industrial Index gained 8.21 points to 3,097.59. — Bernama