KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed mixed today as buying interest saw the key index stage a mini rebound after yesterday's sell-off.
Key regional indices also ended higher following the tech rally on Wall Street overnight.
At 5.00 p.m. today, there were 490 gainers, 614 losers and 537 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia.
The FBM-KLCI was up up 4.32 points to close at 1,629.79, less than half a point shy of the 1,630 level.
The FBMACE was at 5,470.46 down 24.68 points, and the FBMEmas was at 12,543.10 up 21.92 points.
Turnover was at 3.910 billion shares valued at RM3.295 billion.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said market participants are closely evaluating the potential implications of policy shifts under the administration of incoming President Donald Trump, whose term is set to commence shortly.
In addition, Thong said the Federal Reserve will release minutes from its last policy meeting, where it cut its main interest rate for a third straight time.
"Tech stocks across Asia climbed sharply, reflecting the positive momentum in US markets fueled by heightened interest in artificial intelligence," he said.
Meanwhile, on the domestic front, Thong said the FBM KLCI regained ground around the 1,630 level, signaling positive market sentiment. "Should the index break through the 1,645 resistance and sustain it for an extended period, we predict additional upward potential.
"As for now, we maintain our weekly FBM KLCI target between 1,620-1,640," he added.
Among the heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd rose six sen to RM10.16, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd added seven sen to RM8.15, while Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd gained two sen to RM4.91.
As for the active stocks, MYEG Service Bhd rose 0.5 sen to 98 sen but Top Glove Corp Bhd slid four sen to RM1.32.Velocity Capital Partner Bhd and JCY International Bhd were flat at 8.0 sen and 57 sen, respectively.