KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI maintained its steady trend to close higher on Thursday, as the bullish market sentiment continued to fuel investors’ risk appetite.

       The benchmark index closed up 15.94 points, or 1.02% to 1,585.74. It has risen to an intraday high of 1,590.91.

       There were 580 gainers, 506 losers and 419 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia. Turnover stood at 4.38 billion shares valued at RM3.25bil.

       Dealers said political risks were dissipating based on recent developments and foreign investors were seen returning to the market.

       In addition, the reopening of more economic sectors amid promising progress in vaccinations helped boost market confidence.

       In terms of fund flows, local institutions and retailers were net sellers on Wednesday offloading equities worth RM189mil and RM47mil respectively.

       Foreigners emerged as net buyers with total purchases valued at RM236mil.

       Petronas Dagangan leads index gainers, jumping 78 sen to RM19.80. Kuala Lumpur Kepong gained 40 sen to RM21.30, Hap Seng rose 28 sen to RM8.50 and PPB climbed 20 sen to RM18.56.

       Maybank gained 12 sen to RM8.45, Public Bank added six sen to RM4.16, Tenaga climbed two sen to RM10.30.

       Hartalega fell nine sen to RM7.05 and Top Glove declined six sen to RM3.86.

       On the broader market, Genetec jumped RM2.20 to RM29.39. Dutch Lady rose 38 sen to RM32.76, Wong Engineering added 26 sen to RM1.90 and Genting Plantations gained 23 sen to RM7.60.

       Sam Engineering tumbled RM2 to RM14.12, MPI fell 38 sen to RM44 and BAT lost 26 sen to RM14.02.

       Around the region, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 0.65%.

       Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 0.06% higher at 27,742.29 while South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.58%, at 3,128.53.

       Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 1.08%, at 25,415.69.

       CSI300 index edged down 1.97% to 4,801.61, while the Shanghai Composite Index fell 1.09% at 3,501.66 points.