KUALA LUMPUR: Buying interest in Malaysian equities continued on Tuesday as the benchmark index opened higher, tracking the eighth consecutive session of gains in Wall Street markets overnight.
The FBM KLCI added 0.86 points to 1,649.56 at the open, extending its lead after having surged yesterday to its highest level in nearly four years on the back of a positive second-quarter economic report.
"The Bursa Exchange ended on a positive note, driven by banking heavyweights following Malaysia's strong GDP data last Friday.
"We anticipate that buying support may extend in anticipation of a stronger earnings season this month," said Malacca Securities Research in its market review.
The research firm added that investors are focused on the upcoming meeting in Jackson Hole, where the Federal Reserve may offer clues on the timing of the next rate cut.
On the local front, it said IJM's data centre project win could boost sentiment in the construction, property, building materials and utilities sectors.
Meanwhile, it said banking stocks may continue their upward trend due to stronger earnings, while the stronger ringgit should benefit consumer and shipping stocks in general.
On the FBM KLCI, Tenga Nasional rose 12 sne to RM14.02, Nestle gained 20 sne to RM105.3 and Press Metal
climbed seven sen to RM5.21.
Genting group stocks slipped, with Genting losing six sen to RM4.34 and Genting Malaysia sliding three sen to RM2.50.
Top actives included WL up 0.5 sen to three sen, Perdana Petroleum falling two sn to 43.5 sen and Top Glove rising one sen to RM1.
