KUALA LUMPUR: Asian markets, including Bursa Malaysia, mostly managed to claw back into the black by midday on Wednesday, July 28 after Japan's Nikkei 225 rose on strong corporate earnings and a weaker yen.

Shares of Canon jumped more than 4% after the world's No. 1 camera maker reported its strongest profit in seven quarters, though its second half could be tougher because of Europe's economic woes and the yen's strength, according to Reuters.

At the mid-day break, the FBM KLCI rose 1.85 points to 1,354.08, lifted by gains including at CIMB, MISC, Public Bank and Genting. Gainers outpaced losers by 332 to 262, while 253 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 397.06 million shares valued at RM523.6 million.

Crude palm oil futures for the third month delivery rose RM3 per tonne to RM2,488; crude oil fell 23 cents per barrel to US$77.27 while gold rose US$1.55 per ounce to US$1,163.15.

At Bursa Malaysia, CIMB, Genting, Public Bank, Genting Malaysia and Petronas Gas rose four sen each to RM7.44, RM7.74, RM12.24, RM2.75 and RM10.34, respectively.

MISC added nine sen to RM8.89, MMC Corp and RHB Capital up three sen each to RM2.59 and RM6.35, and BAT added 22 sen to RM44.

Newly-listed Ivory Properties jumped 29% or 29 sen to RM1.29 with 34.3 million shares done. It was also the most actively traded stock this morning.

Other actives included Jadi, E&O, Inix, Gamuda, Axiata, Mulpha and JCY International.

Mudajaya, which was recently reported to being under investigation by the Securities Commission, saw its share price fall 24 sen to RM5.33 with 6.63 million shares traded.

Other decliners included Yeo Hiap Seng, Pharmaniaga, Malayan Flour Mills, DFZ Capital and K-Star Sports.