KUALA LUMPUR – Bursa Malaysia opened marginally higher in choppy trading today, as overall investor sentiment remained cautious due to the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) 3.0.
At 9.05am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) inched up 0.18 of-a-point to 1,588.43 from yesterday’s close of 1,588.25.
The barometer index opened 3.73 higher at 1,591.98.
However, on the broader market, losers led gainers 245 to 202, while 291 counters were unchanged, 1,416 untraded and five others suspended.
Total volume stood at 359.92 million shares worth RM172.87 million.
Meanwhile, the ringgit extended its gains against the US dollar for the second consecutive day, buoyed by the stronger Brent crude oil price, dealers said.
This cushioned the impact of further weakening of the local note amid mounting concerns over the enforcement of the MCO in Selangor.
At 9am, the local currency rose to 4.1170/1220 against the greenback from yesterday’s close of 4.1200/1260. – Bernama, May 5, 2021