KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — Bursa Malaysia, which remained in positive territory the whole day, ended higher as optimism in regional bourses spilled over into the local equities market after oil prices rallied.

The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) ended at its intra-day high of 1,721.47, up 12.56 points from its close yesterday of 1,708.91.

After opening 0.97 of a point better at 1,709.88, the local benchmark touched an intra-day low of 1,709.11 before gaining momentum to close at its peak.

Market breadth was extremely positive, with gainers overwhelming losers 507 to 351 with 364 counters unchanged, 501 counters untraded and eight others suspended.

Total volume increased to 1.99 billion shares worth RM1.95 billion from 1.74 billion shares worth RM2.05 billion recorded yesterday.

A dealer said the bullish regional bourses lifted buying sentiment in the local market, especially after global oil prices rose.

“The MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares (outside Japan) increased 0.8 per cent while Japan's Nikkei 225 closed 2.7 per cent higher.

“The higher oil prices also played a part in driving the market sentiment.

Investors are very positive when the international benchmark Brent crude oil traded 20 cents higher at US$46 a barrel,” he added.

Most heavyweights rallied except for Maybank, which eased 2 sen to RM9.01, while TNB rose 10 sen to RM14.50, Public Bank increased 8 sen to RM19.10 and IHH inched up 1 sen to RM6.68.

Among active stocks, AirAsia X and Eka Noodles shed 0.5 sen each to 38 sen and 12 sen respectively, while Bumi Armada added 2 sen to 79.5 sen.

The FBM Emas Index jumped 84.58 points to 11,969.99, the FBMT100 Index increased 84.02 points to 11,661.77 and the FBM Emas Syariah Index rose 77.26 points to 12,523.13. The FBM 70 gained 92.34 points to 13,335.75 while the FBM Ace added 52.09 points to 5,718.85.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index soared 68.88 points to 14,913.42, the Industrial Index improved 17.14 points to 3,280.22 and the Plantation Index increased 32.27 points to 7,761.91.

Main Market turnover rose to 1.47 billion units worth RM1.87 billion from 1.3 billion units worth RM1.98 billion recorded yesterday.

The ACE Market turnover decreased to 250.2 million shares valued at RM49.38 million from 268.49 million shares valued at RM52.01 million previously.

Warrants improved to 263.12 million units worth RM28.8 million from 176.09 million units valued at RM22.88 million yesterday.

Consumer products accounted for 150.4 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products (264.82 million), construction (92.09 million), trade and services (718.01 million), technology (40.12 million), infrastructure (5.91 million), SPAC (51.97 million), finance (43.85 million), hotels (611,900), properties (82.29 million), plantations (21.8 million), mining (7,000), REITs (6.03 million), and closed/fund (21,600). — Bernama