Local market trading was mixed with Bursa opening positive before pulling back as anxious sentiment hit the market again.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd's vice president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng said buying activity continued in banking stocks despite the gloomy sentiment surrounding the increase in the overnight policy rate (OPR).
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index (FBM KLCI) was down 0.83 points at 1,493.90 from Thursday's close of 1,494.73 with a strong opening of 1.02 points at 1,495.75.
In the broader market, gainers at 142 outpaced losers at 88, while 176 counters were unchanged, 1,899 untraded and 9 suspended.
Total revenue at 76.19 million units worth RM37.3 million.
The streak, the range of the index is predicted to be at 1,490 to 1,500.
Heavyweight stocks saw CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd and Maxis Bhd gain 1 sen at RM5.41, RM2.93 and RM3.83 respectively while Press Metal Aluminum Holdings Bhd reached 3 sen at RM5.05 and Public Bank Bhd remained at RM4 .64.
Active stocks saw Metronic Global Bhd remain at 4.5 sen, Tanco Holdings Bhd up 1.5 sen at 27.5 sen, Mi Technovation Bhd added 7 sen at RM1.20 and HB Global Ltd gained 0.5 sen at 14 sen while Vinvest Capital Holdings Bhd fell 0.5 sen at 19.5 cents.
On the index board, the FBM Emas index decreased by 1.55 points at 10,612.35, the FBMT 100 index decreased by 2.59 points at 10,361.08 and the FBM Emas Shariah index decreased by 6.60 points at 10,697.77 while the FBM 70 gained 9.78 points at 12,754.88 and the FBM ACE strengthened by 3.20 points at 4,805.30.
In terms of sectors, the Plantation index weakened by 25.73 points at 6,997.47 while the Products and Services index reached 0.50 points at 185.83, the Energy index increased by 1.15 points at 707.65 and the Financial Services index strengthened by 3.61 points at 16,738.67.
Meanwhile, the Ringgit (RM) opened higher against the US Dollar at 4.4960/4995 from a closing of 4.5010/5040.
