KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia began the day on a positive note, with construction stocks performing well and anticipation growing for the 2025 Budget announcement scheduled for later today.
At 9.18am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 0.16 per cent, adding 2.65 points to 1,644.09, compared to Thursday's close of 1,641.44.
The benchmark index opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29.
The broader market showed positive movement, with 267 stocks advancing compared to 199 declining, while 338 counters remained unchanged.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI bounced back above the 1,640 mark, supported by selective purchases of blue-chip stocks by foreign funds.
He noted that trading activity on the local exchange is expected to remain subdued in anticipation of the budget tabling.
"Thus, we expect the index to hover within the 1,635-1,645 range," he added.