KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed marginally higher in light trading on Tuesday, with investors exercising caution ahead of the extended weekend following the Chinese New Year festivities.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 1.64 points to end at 1,512.98 from Monday's close of 1,511.34.
The barometer index opened 1.03 points easier at 1,510.31 and moved between 1,508.99 and 1,513.98 throughout the day.
Advancers led decliners 513 to 452 on the broader market, while 431 counters were unchanged, 853 untraded, and nine others suspended.
Malacca Securities Research said the FBM KLCI ended higher despite the mixed regional markets' performance, led by buying interest within selected utilities, consumer and industrial products heavyweights.
Market breadth was positive as gainers led losers by 514-to-452 stocks.
"On the broader market, the energy sector was the leading sector, led by buying interest within Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd and Velesto Energy Bhd, while the healthcare sector declined (-0.28 per cent) due to selling pressure in Hartalega Holding Bhd (-9.0 sen) and Top Glove Corp Bhd.
Among Malaysia's blue chips, Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd rose for a sixth consecutive session by RM1.30 to RM121.30 as the F&B giant is expected to benefit from the seasonal festivities.
YTL Power International Bhd rose 13 sen to RM3.87 while Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd climbed six sen to RM6.74 and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd gained four sen to RM4.46.
Top actives of the day included Widad Group Bhd, was down one sen to 11.5 sen on 144.7 million shares changing hands while Reneuco Bhd slipped 1.5 sen to eight sen on 66.91 million shares.