KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Bursa Malaysia ended slightly higher today, maintaining its positive momentum on Friday last week supported by persistent buying in selected heavyweights, dealers said.

At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) finished at 1,672.46, up 2.19 points, from Friday’s close of 1,670.27, after opening 6.56 points higher at 1,676.83.

The benchmark index moved between 1,664.74 and 1,676.83 throughout the day.

Among heavyweights, Maybank rose seven sen to RM7.90, Public Bank went up two sen to RM19.86, Petronas Chemicals improved four sen to RM7, and Genting Malaysia put on 14 sen to RM4.76.

However, TNB slipped eight sen to RM14.34 and Axiata lost 11 sen to RM4.92.

As for actives, FGV fell 19 sen to RM2.01, Vivocom Intl shed one sen to 16.5 sen, Kinsteel was flat at three sen while RGB International added one sen to 22 sen.

A dealer said most regional bourses were lower due to renewed concerns over the tightening gap between the US presidential candidates in the run-up to the election next week.

“Investors are also concerned over some important data scheduled for release this week, including China and US’s factory activity,” he added.

The market was also affected by the unsuccessful outcome of the meeting between members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on the agreement to cut production, which has weakened oil prices.

On the broader market, losers overwhelmed gainers 522 to 290 with 346 counters unchanged, 495 untraded and 32 others suspended.

Volume was lower at 1.45 billion units worth RM1.89 billion from 1.48 billion units worth RM1.66 billion on Friday.

The FBM Emas Index rose 1.57 points to 11,785.47, the FBMT 100 Index added 4.69 points to 11,490.44 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index decreased 39.29 points to 12,384.01.

The FBM 70 declined 31.89 points to 13,724.56 and the FBM Ace eased 91.75 points to 5,021.98.

The Finance Index increased 55.76 points to 14,581.81, the Plantation Index slipped 47.73 points to 7,909.78 and the Industrial Index improved 15.19 points at 3,172.70.

Main Market turnover narrowed to 949.36 million units worth RM1.81 billion from 1.02 billion units worth RM1.58 billion last Friday.

The ACE Market volume fell to 217.22 million shares valued at RM30.05 million from 286.47 million shares valued at RM41.84 million.

Warrants rose to 285.64 million units worth RM46.20 million from 174.92 million units worth RM37.46 million previously.

Consumer products accounted for 52.41 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products (246.88 million), construction (58.89 million), trade and services (371.28 million), technology (21.21 million), infrastructure (12.44 million), SPAC (12.89 million), finance (45.28 million), hotels (127,400), properties (34.72 million), plantations (79.38 million), mining (38,000), REITs (13.72 million) and closed/fund (56,200). — Bernama