Bursa Malaysia maintained its upward trend at midday with the main index rising by 0.48%. It rose on buying interest in selected heavyweights amid stronger performance in regional markets.
At 2.45pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up 8.13 points to 1,642.87 from 1,634.91 at Wednesday's close.
The benchmark index opened 4.84 points stronger at 1,639.75 which traded between 1,638.67 and 1,644.44 throughout the morning session.
Market sentiment was positive with gainers outnumbering losers 485 to 424, 463 counters unchanged, 1,069 untraded and 22 suspended.
The total turnover amounted to 1.52 billion units worth RM982.29 million.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd expects traders to focus on the Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index data to be published for the United States (US) in the next two trading days to gauge the direction of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) monetary policy.
On local cues, it predicts investors are positioning themselves ahead of the Budget 2025 presentation by trading in e-invoicing, construction, real estate, building materials, utilities and consumer-related stocks.
Additionally, the continued rise in crude palm oil prices may lead to positive trading sentiment in plantation stocks.
However, the current of the ringgit showing a weakening tendency compared to last week has an impact on export-related stocks.
