KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — Bursa Malaysia ended higher today, with the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) advancing 3.05 points to 1,627.26 and close to the intra-day high, propelled by buying interest in heavyweight stocks.

At 5 pm, the index rose 3.05 points or 0.18 per cent, after lingering between 1,623.35 and 1,627.42 throughout the day.

The composite index opened 0.98 of a point better at 1,625.19.

Market breadth was negative with 402 losers and 347 gainers, while 331 counters were unchanged, 651 untraded and 53 others suspended.

Volume was a shade lower at 1.28 billion shares worth RM1.24 billion from 1.3 billion shares worth RM1.27 billion yesterday.

A dealer said the market maintained its positive vibes in today’s trading due to the better financial performance of companies in the third quarter.

Bursa Malaysia was also supported by local institutions, which constitute more than 50 per cent of market participants, whereas foreign trading participation is at about 20 per cent.

"Foreign investors were away following the Thanksgiving Day celebration yesterday, as well as ahead of the weekend.

"The local bourse also tracked its Asian peers, most of whom were higher today, fuelled by overnight gains on Wall Street,” the dealer added.

Among Asian stock markets, Singapore’s Straits Times was up by 0.55 per cent to 2,859.33, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.51 per cent to 22,723.45, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.26 per cent to 18,381.22 and Korea’s Kospi improved 0.16 per cent at 1,974.46.

For the heavyweights on Bursa, Maybank and Hap Seng rose 10 sen each to RM7.80 and RM7.88 respectively, MISC and Sime Darby both advanced six sen to RM7.27 and RM8.10, while Astro Malaysia bagged two sen to RM2.69.

Among gainers, Yee Lee Corp, Star Media, TH Plantations, Kossan Rubber, Padini and Genting Plantations warrant all improved five sen to RM 2.34, RM2.44, RM1.23, RM6.70, RM2.82 and RM2.80 respectively.

Of the actives, AirAsia X warrant slipped half-a-sen to two sen, Top Glove’s call warrant and FGV were two sen lower at 6.5 sen and RM1.56 respectively, and Ho Wah Genting improved half-a-sen to six sen.

The FBM Emas Index advanced 12.41 points to 11,424.32 and the FBMT100 Index edged up 14.68 points to 11,143.60.

However, the FBM 70 declined 5.22 points to 13,178.99, the FBM Ace lost 19.0 points to 4,907.11, and the FBM Emas Syariah Index dropped 2.42 points to 11,993.24.

Sector-wise, the Finance Index soared 45.35 points to 14,196.59, the Industrial Index gained 18.20 points to 3,086.28, while the Plantation Index bagged 38.55 points for 7,729.04.

Main Market turnover was lower at 839.56 million units worth RM1.16 billion against yesterday’s 881.19 million units worth RM1.19 billion.

The ACE Market volume fell to 147.07 million shares valued at RM33.42 million from 183.82 million shares valued at RM38.18 million.

Warrants advanced to 259.98 million units worth RM46.83 million as compared with 234.87 million units worth RM45.02 million yesterday.

Consumer products accounted for 33.21 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products (265.61 million), construction (58.61 million), trade and services (305.41 million), technology (58.07 million), infrastructure (6.29 million), SPAC (8.90 million), finance (31.37 million), hotels (447,000) properties (35.24 million), plantations (30.26 million), mining (20,000), REITs (6.04 million), and closed/fund (81,000). — Bernama