KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI stayed in positive territory at midday as Malaysian blue-chips found some support after recent heavy losses.

       At 12.30pm, the key index was up 4.48 points to 1,520.47.

       Bursa Malaysia had a positive market breadth of 425 gainers compared to 348 decliners.

       There was some buying interest in the telco sector as Axiata rose nine sen to RM3.75, Digi gained seven sen to RM3.85 and Maxis rose three sne to RM4.26.

       Banks were mildly higher led by Public Bank up one sen to RM4.22, Hong Leong Bank rising two sen to RM19.42, CIMB gaining three sen to RM5.28 and Maybank adding one sen to RM8.31

       On the broader market, Woodlandor gained 30 sen to RM1.78, Lii Hen climbed 26 sen to RM2.96 and MPI gained 24 sen to RM39.24.

       Top actives were SMTrack up 0.5 sen to 17 sen, Opcom gaining six sen to RM1.06 and Vinvest rising one sen to 46 sen.

       Meanwhile, Asian markets firmed up after the selling in US markets slowed overnight.

       Japan's Nikkei jumped 2.1%, South Korea's Kospi rose 1.8% and China's composite index added 0.1%.

       Hong Kong's Hang Seng however slid 0.8% while Australia's ASX200 climbed 2.1%.