KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia extended its gains by midday break, driven by advances in financial services and utilities stocks.
At 12:30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 0.32 per cent, adding 5.05 points to reach 1,608.20 from its previous close of 1,603.15.
The overall market sentiment remained positive, with 437 gainers outpacing 421 losers, while 490 counters were unchanged.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd noted that heightened trade tensions between the US and China, along with a stronger US dollar, could favor export-oriented sectors such as gloves and technology.
"Meanwhile, the rebound in crude palm oil (CPO) price could lift the sentiment within the plantation sector."
"As the festive season approaches, coupled with the stronger earnings from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd due to higher passenger volumes, we like stocks within the aviation, hospitality and consumer sectors," it said.