Ta Ann Holdings Bhd led timber stocks higher in Kuala Lumpur trading after AmResearch Sdn Bhd reported that as much as 40 per cent of Japan's plywood production was destroyed or signficantly damaged in last week's earthquake and tsunami.

This will increase demand for imports from Malaysia as Japan rebuilds, AmResearch said in a report today.

Ta Ann climbed 6.4 per cent to RM5.30 at 11:32 a.m., set for its biggest gain since June 2009.

WTK Holdings Bhd rose 2.6 per cent to RM1.58 and Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd increased 3.9 per cent to RM5.30.-- Bloomberg