At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI rose 3.17 points to 1,612.69.
The early gainers included Milux Corp Bhd, PMB Technology Bhd, Kobay Technology Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Far East Corp Bhd, Tasco Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd and Mesiniaga Bhd.
Bloomberg said Asian equities pushed higher on Tuesday and bond yields ticked up as investors awaited comments from Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen on US stimulus and the dollar.
Rakuten Trade said Wall Street was closed yesterday but Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday may spur some buying interests going forward.
The research house said that already the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures is trending at positive levels.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The main index at Bursa Malaysia slipped at midday break today as index-linked heavyweights, including Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Public Bank Bhd, dragged.
At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 3.88 points at 1,631.83. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,637.88.
Losers led gainers by 368 to 314, while 733 counters traded unchanged. Trading volume was 3.09 billion shares valued at RM2.17 billion.
The decliners included KESM Industries Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Tasco Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, MISC Bhd, Maybank, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Public Bank and Hartalega Holdings Bhd.