KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed higher as foreign buying continues particularly energy, telco and plantation stocks.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 0.19 per cent or 2.97 points to 1,605.88 from Monday's close of 1,602.91.
There were 600 gainers, 516 losers and 529 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia.
Turnover was at 4.697 billion shares valued at RM3.205 billion.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices saw minimal changes as investors prefer to stay cautious ahead of this week's release of crucial inflation data that is expected to significantly influence the outlook for US interest rates.
The data is scheduled for Wednesday, with expectations indicating a slowdown in core CPI from an annual rate of 3.8 percent in March to 3.6 percent for April.
"As for the local bourse, positive sentiment prevails, with the uptick in daily trading volume indicating growing interest in Malaysian equities.
"Consequently, we maintain our weekly FBM KLCI target between 1,600-1,620, with immediate resistance at 1,615 and support at 1,600 followed by 1,585," he told the Business Times.
Among heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd increased one sen to RM9.88, Public Bank Bhd fell one sen to RM4.17. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd fell one sen to RM6.79, Tenaga Nasional Bhd rose four sen to RM12.44, while IHH Healthcare Bhd decreased four sen to RM6.27.
In active trading, MMAG Holdings Bhd fell half sen to 37 sen. Farm Price Bhd accumulated 17 sen to 41 sen, AT Systematization Bhd improved two sen to 23 sen and Iconic Worldwide Bhd eased half-a-sen to 11 sen.