KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI rose in Thursday trading but remained caught within a consolidation channel that is expected to continue until the next phase of the National Recovery Plan.

       At 12.30pm, the key index was up 7.83 points to 1,520.15, keeping within the range of recent trading sessions.

       "With investors staying on the dielines, we expect the key index to trade between the resistance set at 1,525-1,548 and the support at 1,500," said Malacca Securities Research.

       On the blue-chip index, Tenaga Nasional climbed 17 sen to RM9.79 while Top Glove jumped 16 sen to RM3.92 on an improving outlook for gloves.

       Financial stocks were also lifted led by Hong Leong Bank up 14 sen to RM18.32 and Maybank rising one sen to RM8.06, while Public Bank and CIMB remained unchanged.

       Sime Darby Plantation was seen dipping 10 sen to RM3.64 amid news that two of its human rights commission experts had resigned.

       Among the actives, Serba Dinamik was up five sen to 46 sen, Pasukhas dropped 3.5 sen to 19.5 sen, YBS rose four sen to 47.5 sen.

       Meanwhile in Asia, equities rose on the back of resilient economic data from China.

       China's main index rose 0.2% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 1.2%

       South Korea's Kospi rose 0.5% although Japan's Nikkei fell 1% into the red due to rising Covid-19 infections in the country.

       Australia's ASX200 was also down 0.25% as banks and growth sectors dipped on the US Fed's dovish tone overnight.