Bursa Malaysia slightly higher at opening

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia opened slightly higher despite the market trading cautiously with traders focused on the US payrolls data to be released today for fresh catalysts, a dealer said.
At 9.03am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up 0.58 of-a-point at 1,852.38 from Thursday's close of 1,851.80.
The index opened 0.56 of-a-point weaker at 1,851.24.
On the broader market, gainers led losers 70 to 69, while 115 counters were unchanged, 1,601 untraded and 15 others suspended.
Volume stood at 306.49 million units valued at RM13.62 million.
Kenanga Research house in its note said amid the on-going US-China trade talks, Asian markets were mostly lower at yesterday's close as investors turned cautious over possible trade tensions.
"They (Asian markets) are also trying to digest the US Fed's view on inflation," it said.
Meanwhile, another dealer said with the higher crude oil prices, investors are hoping to see the local bourse receive some support.
Among the heavyweights, Maybank and and Petronas Chemicals were flat at RM10.70 and RM8.46 respectively, while Public Bank fell six sen to RM23.88 and Tenaga down two sen to RM15.98.
For actives, Sapura and AirAsia X were flat each at 69 sen and 38 sen, while Pansar and Silver Ridge rose five sen and one each to 99.5 sen and 25 sen.
The FBM Emas Index fell 1.41 points to 12,905.81, the FBMT 100 Index eased 0.81- of-a-point to 12,718.94, the FBM Emas Syariah Index inched down 1.78 points to 13,074.45, the FBM Ace fell 4.72 points to 5,292.81 and the FBM 70 lost 17.55 points to 15,259.82.
Sector-wise, the Plantation Index rose 15.50 points to 7,935.85 and the Industrial Index bagged 1.39 points to 3,196.20.But, the Finance Index was 18.08 points lower at 18,126.23.
The physical price of gold as at 9.30am stood at RM160.76 per gramme, up 22 sen from RM160.54 at 5.00pm yesterday. — Bernama