KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia opened firmer on Wednesday amid Wall Street's mixed performance overnight.
The benchmark index opened 1.67 points firmer at 1,644.21.
On the broader market, decliners surpassed advancers 215 to 161, while 286 counters remained unchanged, 1,841 untraded, and 15 suspended.
Turnover stood at 372.65 million units, valued at RM149.67 million.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd's equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said traders are digesting the ongoing earnings reports as the US 10-year yield inched higher at 4.208 per cent, indicating that the Federal Reserve may not be aggressive in cutting rates next month.
Back home, Thong said the FBM KLCI maintained its consolidation pattern to close lower as many are still pondering the aftereffects of Budget 2025.
"Daily volume traded remains low as we enter into the earnings season in a cautious mood. We believe trading to stay lacklustre; thus, expect the index to hover within the 1,640-1,650 range today," he said.
Among the heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd were flat at RM10.62 and RM8.16, respectively.
Public Bank Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd gained one sen each to RM4.56 and RM7.24, respectively, while Tenaga Nasional Bhd slipped two sen to RM14.44.
Gamuda Bhd was among the top actives and top turnover stock in early trade.
It shares were seen climbing 26 sen to RM8.80, building on the buying momentum following yesterday's announcement it had secured a RM4.3bil mass rapid transit project in Taiwan.
Among other active stocks, Ingenieur Gudang Bhd edged up half a sen to 5.5 sen, Capital A Bhd and Niche Capital Emas Holdings Bhd added one sen to 98.5 sen and 18.5 sen, respectively, JCY International Bhd eased half a sen to 41 sen, and Dataprep Holdings Bhd was flat at 17 sen.