KUALA LUMPUR: The local benchmark stock index closed above the psychological 1,500-level on Wednesday, driven by renewed buying interest in selected heavyweights.

       The FBM KLCI closed up 7.73 points, or 0.52% to 1,500.32. Turnover was 3.12 billion shares valued at RM1.59bil.

       There were 450 gainers, 347 losers and 445 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia.

       Dealers said market sentiment was upbeat in key regional markets as investors sought riskier assets.

       They expect the traditional year-end window dressing activities to provide support for the local bourse.

       On Bursa Malaysia, Sam Engineering was the top gainer, jumping 96 sen to RM22, followed by Genetec, which added 66 sen to RM36.80 and Nestle, which rose 30 sen to RM131.90.

       The decliners included Malaysian Pacific Industries, Petronas Dagangan, UMS and Toyo Ventures.

       Among the component stocks, Maybank added eight sen to RM8.22, Tenaga rose six sen to RM9.32, Genting gained five sen to RM4.51, Hartalega jumped 17 sen to RM5.46 and Top Glove climbed eight sen to RM2.18.

       Meanwhile, the main bourses around the region closed higher with MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index was firmer by 0.3%.

       Japan's Nikkei index ended up 0.16% to 28,562.21 while South Korea’s Kospi added 0.32% to 2,984.48.

       China’s CSI300 index was up 0.02% at 4,914.45 and Shanghai Composite index was down 0.07% at 3,622.62.