KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): The escalating tensions in the Middle East have influenced market sentiment and shifted investors' emphasis to the energy, finance and plantation sectors, which helped boost the FBM KLCI higher by midday on Friday.

At 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 6.66 points or 0.43% to 1,551.42 from Thursday's close of 1,544.76. The benchmark index opened 1.54 points better at 1,546.3.

The market breadth was negative with losers trouncing gainers 955 to 205 while 336 counters were unchanged, 880 untraded and 21 others suspended.

Turnover amounted to 3.12 billion units worth RM1.80 billion. 

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/708606