KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's benchmark stock index entered the lunch break more than 10 points higher as investors picked up blue chips ahead of a key US inflation reading.
As trading on the market halted for the end of the early session, the key index stood 10.65 points higher at 1,541.25, en route to a strong first-quarter close. At the current trading level, the FBM KLCI is up 86.59 points for the year, representing a gain of nearly 6% year-to-date.
The improved performance on Friday was seen across the broader market, which logged 455 gainers compared to 410 decliners and 477 counters unchanged. The trading volume was 1.7 billion shares valued at RM1.4bil.
The jump on Bursa Malaysia was in line with Asian markets, seen picking up over the morning session on an increase in trading confidence, led by the record performances of the Dow Jones and S&P500 overnight.
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