KUALA LUMPUR (July 21): Bursa Malaysia extended its gains from Wednesday (July 20) to open on a positive note, supported by continuing buying interest, in line with the positive sentiments in the regional markets, a dealer said.

At 9.10am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.02 points to 1,442 from Wednesday’s close of 1,436.98.

The benchmark index opened 4.18 points higher at 1,441.16.

On the broader market, gainers led losers 181 to 82, while 208 counters were unchanged, 1,817 untraded and eight others suspended.

Turnover stood at 247.02 million units worth RM54.08 million.

In a research note on Thursday, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd said investors should see a positive trading tone on the local bourse following the extension of the Wall Street’s rebound, supported by bargain-hunting activities on significantly oversold stocks over the past few weeks.

“As for commodities, oil benchmark Brent crude is still trading above US$100 at around US$106 to US$107, while the crude palm oil (CPO) price was little changed at around RM3,900.

“Nevertheless, we foresee the CPO price to remain under pressure in the second half of 2022 (2H22) after Indonesia’s government ramped up exports," it said.

The brokerage firm also noted that the technology sector should see further improvements in trading activities after another positive session in the Nasdaq following the release of earnings reports from several corporates.

Among the heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd rose seven sen to RM8.67, Public Bank Bhd gained one sen to RM4.44, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd added two sen to RM8.57, IHH Healthcare Bhd increased three sen to RM6.46 and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd was four sen higher at RM5.13.

Of the actives, Bintai Kinden Corporation Bhd, VinVest Capital Holdings Bhd and ARB Bhd increased half-a-sen each to 12.5 sen, 17.5 sen and 11.5 sen, respectively, while MMAG Holdings Bhd and MQ Technology Bhd were flat at five sen and 3.5 sen, respectively.

On the index board, the FBM Emas Index rose 34.14 points to 10,234.11, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 26.32 points to 10,325.73, the FBM 70 was 39.71 points higher at 12,270.74, the FBMT 100 Index climbed 34.21 points to 9,993.35 and the FBM ACE improved 13.91 points to 4,702.33.

Sector-wise, the Plantation Index added 16.04 points to 6,805.3, the Financial Services Index gained 82.78 points to 16,149.64, the Energy Index was 3.12 points higher at 634.91 and the Industrial Products and Services Index added 0.04 of-a-point to 173.91.