Kuala Lumpur: Bursa Malaysia maintained its upward momentum to end the morning trading session in positive territory, buoyed by improved sentiment and buying in selected heavyweights. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 7.96 points or 0.51 percent to 1,575.99, from Tuesday's close of 1,568.03. The benchmark index opened 1.76 points easier at 1,566.27. On the broader market, gainers led decliners 445 to 404, with 445 counters unchanged, 1,082 untraded, and 36 suspended. Turnover stood at 1.64 billion shares worth RM1.03 billion.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, SPI Asset Management managing director Stephen Innes highlighted that despite mounting concerns over the United States' growth, the sharp decline in US yields is offering a temporary reprieve for local assets, acting as a springboard. Investors are focusing on Malaysia's longer-term positioning, particularly its role in the ongoing supply chain reorientation. As companies look to hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and diversify away from China, Malaysia stands to attract a greater share of investment flows. Innes noted that the real test would be whether this optimism can hold up against broader macro headwinds, especially with the US exceptionalism trade starting to unwind.

For now, investors are still willing to bet on Malaysia's ability to capitalize on shifting global dynamics. However, as risk appetite remains fragile, any escalation in trade tensions or a fresh wave of uncertainty out of Washington could quickly halt the rally. Meanwhile, Bursa heavyweights saw Maybank adding two sen to RM10.48, Public Bank and Tenaga Nasional climbing six sen to RM4.52 and RM13.46, respectively, while CIMB fell four sen to RM8.19 and IHH Healthcare edged down one sen to RM7.30.

In the actives, Ingenieur Gudang eased half-a-sen to four sen, SFP Tech slipped two sen to 32.5 sen, Datasonic weakened by 2.5 sen at 27 sen, and Nationgate dipped five sen to RM1.89. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index gained 56.25 points to 11,812.54, the FBMT 100 Index increased by 60.21 points to 11,564.22, the FBM Emas Shariah Index rose 57.83 points to 11,492.71, and the FBM 70 Index expanded by 95.41 points to 16,967.03, while the FBM ACE Index shed 2.62 points to 4,805.98.

By sector, the Financial Services Index climbed 89.28 points to 19,234.89, the Industrial Products and Services Index edged up 0.24 of-a-point to 158.94, and the Plantation Index was 37.83 points firmer at 7,520.43, while the Energy Index declined 1.24 points to 753.16.