KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed higher at midday buoyed by buying activities in plantation and utilities sectors.
At 12.30pm, FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI rose 0.26 per cent or 4.33 points to 1,644.13.
The key index opened at 1,644.04 and moved between 1,639.12 and 1,649.87 in the first half of the day.
The broader market saw gainers led decliners 532 to 346 while 412 counters were unchanged.
United Plantations Bhd and Malaysia Pacific Industries Bhd were the top gainers, adding 60 sen and 52 sen to RM27.62 and RM27.34 respectively.
Losers were Nestle (M) Bhd which tumbled 40 sen to RM100.10 and Hong Leong Bank Bhd lost 26 sen to RM21.40. Maybank Investment Bank said in a note that Market sentiment improved with gainers outpacing laggards after the key index rebounded.
"Notable gains seen in the technology and utilities sector indices as most of their respective constituents saw a decent rebound during the morning session. "As trade activity slowed down today, some investors may still be adopting a cautious wait-and-see approach," it said.