KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed in positive territory despite paring earlier gains as selling emerged in late trading.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 1.25 points to settle at 1,539.27 versus last Friday's close of 1,538.02.
The benchmark index, which opened 1.08 points higger at 1,539.10, moved between 1,537.03 and 1,547.10 throughout the day.
On the broader market, losers lef gainers 536 to 426, while 461 counters were unchanged.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the firm maintained its positive assessment of Malaysian equities, supported by stronger corporate earnings and improving economic conditions.
"Hence, we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,540-1,570 for the week with immediate resistance at 1,570 and support at 1,534," he added.
Thong said key regional indices trended within a narrow range and finished slightly higher as investors are cautiously awaiting updates on China's National People's Congress aiming to boost the world's second-largest economy, address challenges in the property market and stabilise financial markets.