KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — Bursa Malaysia remained steady at mid-afternoon today boosted by gains in the trade- and services-related stocks led by MISC, dealers said.

At 3.02pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) stood at 1,762.49, up 0.41 of-a point, from last Tuesday’s close of 1,762.08.

The benchmark index moved between 1,761.17 and 1,763.95 throughout the session.

It opened 0.55 of-a-point easier at 1,761.53.

On the broader market, decliners led advancers by 387 to 332 with 380 counters unchanged, 684 untraded and 23 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 909.53 million shares worth RM820.60 million.

Among actives, Asia Bioenergy fell one sen to 15 sen and IFCA lost half-a-sen to 40 sen.

Managepay gained two sen to 25.5 sen and Hiap Teck rose half-a-sen to 40 sen.

Of the heavyweights, Maybank improved one sen to RM9.66 and Public Bank rose two sen to RM20.32.

TNB and CIMB were each flat at RM14.10 and RM6.51.

Sime Darby decreased one sen to RM9.50 and Petronas Chemicals eased four sen to RM7.10.

The Finance Index rose 12.15 points to 16,779.26, Industrial Index gained 4.96 points to 3,257.43 and the Plantation Index slid 13.41 points to 7,895.99.

The FBM Emas Index gained two points to 12,590.54 and the FBMT100 Index improved 1.50 points to 12,222.86. The FBM 70 eased 3.25 points to 15,044.65 and the FBM Ace advanced 7.48 points to 6,530.03. — Bernama