KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 ― Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session mixed today, despite the upbeat performance seen on its Asian peers and on the back of an improving global economic scenario, a dealer said.

He, however said, the local bourse is expected to follow the positive momentum and among others, it would be supported by the higher oil prices.

At 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 0.84 points weaker at 1,832.31 against Monday's close of 1,832.31 after opening 2.95 points higher at 1,836.10.

Market breadth, on the other hand, was positive as gainers led losers 513 to 333, with 408 counters unchanged, 594 untraded and 31 others suspended.

Turnover stood at 2.06 billion shares worth RM1.12 billion.

The dealer said any downside on Bursa Malaysia would likely be cushioned ahead of the February reporting season.

"Positive news released by the Statistics Department would also lift the local bourse,” he added.

The department is reported as saying that the Malaysian economy is expected to improve between March and May based on the strong  leading index (LI) released for November 2017.

Among heavyweights, Maybank and Petronas Chemicals rose one sen each to RM9.88 and RM8.01, respectively, Tenaga added four sen to RM15.86, while Public Bank was four sen lower at RM20.92.

Of the actives, Sumatec slipped half-a-sen to 11 sen, Ucrest decreased 3.5 sen to 54 sen, UMW Oil & Gas inched up half-a-sen to 35.5 sen and Cuscapi was 3.5 sen better at 63.5 sen.

The FBM Emas Index was 29.40 points better at 13,269.16, FBMT100 Index inched up 22.49 points to 12,931.25 and the FBM 70 advanced 124.06 points to 16,717.72.

The FBM Emas Shariah Index appreciated 51.14 points to 13,692.33, and the FBM Ace jumped 91.88 points to 6,795.40.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index fell 8.98 points to 17,345.35 and the Industrial Index slid 0.49 of-a-point to 3,350.12, but the Plantation Index gained 2.61 points to 8,044.27. ― Bernama