Business

Bursa opens higher, ringgit gains slightly on positive oil prices

Despite expectations, both record rises in morning session

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 18 Feb 2021 9:31AM

Bursa opens higher, ringgit gains slightly on positive oil prices
Positive oil prices offset concerns over the extension of the movement control order in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, and Penang, allowing the ringgit to expand slightly. – File pic, February 18, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR – Bursa Malaysia opened higher today despite the subdued global equity markets as well as the mixed overnight session on Wall Street.

At the opening bell, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 4.02 points higher at 1,599.31 from 1,595.29 at Wednesday’s close, before easing slightly to 1,597.02 at 9.06am.

On the broader market, gainers outpaced losers 315 to 221, while 325 counters were unchanged, 1,316 untraded and 10 others suspended.

Total volume stood at 671.38 million units worth RM232.03 million.

Meanwhile, the ringgit opened slightly higher against the US dollar today as positive oil prices offset movement control order (MCO) worries.

At 9am, the local currency rose to 4.0350/0400 against the US dollar from Wednesday’s close of 4.0370/0420.

Axi chief global market strategist Stephen Innes said the ringgit snapped its run of gains yesterday due to the extension of the MCO in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang. – Bernama, February 18, 2021

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