Malaysian shares jump

Malaysian share prices closed 0.6 percent higher on Monday on overnight gains on Wall Street and the decline in global crude oil prices, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index added 7.15 points to close at 1,127.46 in thin volume of 363.6 million shares worth 706.4 million ringgit (212.5 million dollars) while gainers led losers 289 to 237.
Dealers said intermittent profit-taking had capped the benchmark's rise. "Gains on Wall Street Friday and the decline in crude oil prices helped to lift equities but there was a lack of commitment from investors," a dealer told Dow Jones Newswires. "Most short-term investors were looking to sell into strength," the dealer said.
Among gainers, Tenaga Nasional rose 1.2 percent to 8.50 ringgit, Commerce-Asset added 2.5 percent at 8.85 ringgit and Asiatic gained 3.4 percent at 6.15 ringgit. Top losers were among plantation stocks with palm oil giant Sime Darby losing 1.4 percent to 6.90 ringgit, HS Plantations down 2.6 at 2.60 ringgit and Kulim shedding 1.6 percent at 7.60 ringgit.