By NG MIN SHEN/FILE PIX

Bursa Malaysia closed the morning trading session today on a positive note as buying momentum registered across plantation-related and blue chip counters, boosted by companies’ positive earnings for the recent quarter ended Dec 31.

At the midday break, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up 3.22 points or 0.17% at 1,859.42 points, from Wednesday’s close of 1,856.20.

The key index saw an intraday high of 1,860.97 and an intraday low of 1,851.51 throughout the morning session, after opening 3.64 points weaker at 1,852.56.

Yet market breadth was negative, with 611 losers compared to 273 gainers.

362 counters were unchanged, 603 were untraded and 22 others were suspended.

Turnover stood at 1.84 billion shares worth RM1.06 billion.

Top gainers included Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, Genting Bhd, Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, YTL Corp Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd.

Downers included Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), AMMB Holdings Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, Nestle Malaysia Bhd and Maxis Bhd.