KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — Bursa Malaysia extended earlier gains to mid-morning backed by persistent buying support and amid positive regional sentiment, dealers said.

At 11.03am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 0.83 of-a-point better at 1,772.06 from yesterday’s close of 1,771.23.

The key index was opened 0.95 of-a-point better at 1,772.18.

The overall market breadth was positive as gainers trounced losers 371 to 235, with 311 counters unchanged, 895 counters untraded and 59 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 541.47 million shares worth RM351.97 million.

The FBM Emas Index rose 12.18 points to 12,630.46, FBMT100 Index gained 9.06 points to 12,267.77 as the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 17.62 points to 12,838.5 and the FBM 70 improved 23.55 points to 15,019.25. The FBM Ace chalked up 58 points to 6,479.29.

Sector-wise, the Industrial Index bagged 1.2 points to 3,266.11 and the Plantation Index perked 8.28 points to 7,908.18.But, the Finance Index contracted 26.61 points to 16,800.96.

Of  the actives, Pasukhas inched up half-a-sen to 19 sen, Sapura Energy rose four sen to RM1.61, while both Key Alliance and MMAG were flat at four sen and five sen respectively.

Among heavyweights, Public Bank increased four sen to RM20.30, Petronas Chemicals improved one sen to RM7.11, as Tenaga was flat at RM14.14.

Sime Darby eased two sen to RM9.59, while both Maybank and CIMB slipped one sen each to RM9.62 and RM6.67. — Bernama