KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI bounced higher after a weak start, affirming hopes that the year-end rally would continue over the final two trading days of the year.
At 12.30pm, the benchmark index was 4.52 points higher at 1,632.66, after trading within a nine-point range of 1,624.92 to 1,633.54.
The local market bucked the regional trend as most Asian markets drifted lower amid high US Treasury yields.
Among the key markets, only Singapore's Straits Times was positive, rising 0.39% to 3,786.
Japan's Nikkei slumped 0.9% to 39.914 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng dipped 0.57% to 19.976 and China's composite index slid 0.9% to 3,397.
On Bursa Malaysia, the lower liners tracked the blue chips higher, with the overall market registering a total of 471 gainers compared to 447 decliners.
However, turnover was muted given the holiday season with 1.54 billion shares changing hands for a value of RM987.43mil.
Leading the market higher, Nestle jumped RM2.02 to RM99.04, YTL Power climbed seven sen to RM4.36 and Maybank gained eight sen to RM10.18.
PETRONAS Chemicals gained six sen to RM5.07 and recent KLCI entrant 99 Speed Mart rose three sen to RM2.50.
Of actives, Vanzo was unchanged at 20 sen, JCY rose one sen ot 58 sen and Supermax gained four sen to RM1.32.
