KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia opened mix on Friday after Wall Street's retreat as traders were sidelined ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting at Jackson Hole economic symposium later today.
At 9.30 am, FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI was down 0.21 per cent or 3.44 points to 1,638.22 versus Thursday's close of 1,641.66.
The key index opened marginally higher at 1,643.33. The broader market was negative with losers trumping gainers 565 to 121 while 291 counters were unchanged.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the local bourse had had a decent run so far this week despite some intermittent profit-taking activities.
"Nonetheless, average volume traded remains low as retail participation is absent as many are opting for the numerous initial public offerings of late which have drawn out some liquidity from the secondary market.
"For today, we expect the index to trend within the 1,640-1,650 range ahead of a crucial weekend in the United States," he said.
He added that sentiment in the US was also affected by the adjustments of jobs creation in April lower by 818,000, indicating that the US job market may not be as robust.