KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Chemicals helped the FBM KLCI maintain a slight lead at midday ahead of a pick-up in earnings announcements next month.

       At 12.30pm, the benchmark index was up 2.78 points to 1,600.09 on gains in energy and plantation counters as supply disruptions keep commodity prices elevated.

       The Kuala Lumpur Energy index was seen jumping 3.2% on Friday as the price of Brent crude futures rebounded from earlier fears of an economic slowdown due to China's movement restrictions.

       Petronas Chemicals rose 18 sen to RM10.28 and Petronas Dagangan gained RM1.18 to RM21.90.

       Among other oil and gas counters, Petron Malaysia climbed 25 sen to RM5.50 and Hengyuan Refining jumped 57 sen to RM5.78.

       In plantations, Kuala Lumpur Kepong rose 16 sen to RM29.44 and Sime Darby Plantation added two sen to RM5.25.

       Over the broader market, the number of gainers outpaced decliners 481 to 335, indicating overall positive market sentiment.

       Top actives were Technax up 0.5 sen to 12.5 sen, Euro rising 3.5 sen to 21 sen and MNC gaining one sen to 4.5 sen.

       In Asian markets, equities climbed cautiously following Wall Street's positive performance, with gains capped by fears over the US interest rate decision in the coming week.

       While Japan's stock exchange was closed for a national holiday, South Korea's Kospi rose 0.8% and China's composite index added 0.4%.

       Hong Kong's Hang Seng however leapt 2% as tech counters rallied following the Nasdaq's strong comeback.

       Australia's ASX200 was up 0.7%.