Share prices on Bursa Malaysia ended higher today in line with the steadier regional markets, dealers said.  

At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advanced 11.72 points to an all-time-high of 1,661.47.

The barometer index moved between the 1,649.66 and 1,662.14 levels throughout the day.  

Dealers said market sentiment regionally was boosted by the expectation of more central banks likely to pledge new stimulus measures - especially China and European countries - in fighting off the effects of the economic slowdown.

A dealer said, back home, the local market movement was influenced by gains in defensive stocks like banking, consumer and telecommunication related sectors.

“The gains are part of the market reaction to the recent 2013 Budget announcement which showed these sectors as being its beneficiaries,” he added.

 Meanwhile, Bursa Malaysia in a note today announced a change of name for Ingenuity Solutions Bhd, to Ingenuity Consolidated Bhd.

The company’s securities will be traded and quoted under the new name effective 9am on Oct 9.

The Finance Index advanced 31.59 points to 14,664.24, the Industrial Index rose 43.61 points to 2,840.41, and the Plantation Index gained 80.02 points to 8,160.90.

The FBM Emas Index was up 81.35 points to 11,265.0 and the FBM Mid 70 Index increased 105.71 points to 12,089.40, but the FBM Ace slid 22.35 points to 4,268.85.

Gainers beat losers by 400 to 298, while 364 counters were unchanged, 577 untraded and 19 others suspended.

Turnover rises to 965.036 million shares

Turnover rose to 965.036 million shares worth RM1.596 billion from the 864.828 million shares worth RM1.744 billion yesterday.

Among actives, Scomi earned half-a-sen to 40 sen, Naim Indah also fell half-a-sen to 20.5 sen and Tenaga Nasional gained 18 sen to RM7.13.

Of the heavyweights, Maybank dipped a sen to RM9.08, Axiata rose three sen to RM6.70, Sime Darby gained 27 sen to RM9.68 and CIMB Group added seven sen to RM7.63.

Volume on the Main Market rose 773.229 million units valued at RM1.563 billion from 661.751 million units valued at RM1.716 billion yesterday.

Turnover on the ACE market rose to 121.257 million valued at RM27.329 million from 109.325 million shares worth RM21.251 million previously.

Warrants fell to 67.784 million units valued at RM4.688 million from 91.479 million units valued at RM5.689 million yesterday.

Consumer products accounted for 71.183 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products 105.714 million, construction 18.693 million, trade and services 401.162 million, technology 19.960 million, infrastructure 27.969 million, finance 45.392 million, hotels 845,400, properties 40.861 million, plantations 19.981 million, mining 268,400, REITs 20.866 million and closed/fund 60,300.

- Bernama