KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia's key index clawed back into the green amid a volatile early session, helped by interest in banking stocks.
At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) ) gained 2.06 points to 1,611.32 from yesterday's close of 1,609.26.
The benchmark index began the day 0.76 of-a-point higher at 1,610.02.
However, the market breadth was negative as decliners outpaced gainers 513 to 346, while 497 counters were unchanged, 1,048 untraded and 13 suspended.
Turnover stood at 1.75 billion shares valued at RM1.09 billion.
Malacca Securities said with the US markets continuing to rise, coupled with a strengthening US dollar, the firm believes buying interest may extend to the local bourse."This is particularly in the export-related sectors like technology and glove," it said in a note.
Among heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd climbed 12 sen to RM10.46, Public Bank Bhd gained three sen to RM4.44 and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd jumped eight sen to RM8.24.
Of actives, Azam Jaya Bhd added 11 sen to RM1.20, Mpire Global Bhd gained 1.5 sen to 21.5 sen and Capital A Bhd rose three sen to RM1.01.Ends