KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia opened flat following lacklustre trading despite robust regional performance.
At 9.15am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI rose 4.55 points or 0.32 per cent to 1,441.04 versus Wednesday's close of 1,436.49.
The key index opened 1.47 points higher at 1,437.96.
The broader market saw gainers led decliners 244 to 175 while 334 counters remained unchanged.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index needs to record a solid uptrend beyond the 1,4500 level soon to maintain its upward trajectory since mid-July.
"For today, we believe the underperforming Telco sector may experience some bargain hunting activities and expect the index to hover within the 1,435-1,445 range," said Thong.
On the global front, Thong noted Wall Street closed positively amidst a cautious mode as traders are waiting for the consumer inflation data later today.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 65 points, the Nasdaq added 97 points as the US 10-year yield eased to 4.558 per cent.
Over in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index jumped by 228 points on optimism of a stronger Chinese economic recovery and that the US may stop hiking rates going forward.