KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended midday mixed as buying in selected heavyweights supported the local benchmark index to stay in positive territory.
At 12.30pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM KLCI) gained 5.16 points to 1,549.87 from Monday's close of 1,544.71.
The key index opened at 1,544.95, rose by 0.24 points, fluctuated between 1,541.36 and 1,550.28 throughout the session.
On the broader market, losers outnumbered gainers at 513 to 365, while 442 counters were unchanged.
Malacca Securities Research said the FBM KLCI continues to rebound higher with buying support seen within selected banking and Petronas-related heavyweights.
The firm believes that the release of US consumer price index (CPI) and producer price index (PPI) data may sway the interest rate outlook.
"Given the neutral tone in the US, we believe buying interest on the local front may be mild," it said in a note.
On the broader market, Malacca Securities expect buying support to persist on a milder tone.
It said it favours selected oil and gas (O&G), banking, property, construction, consumer, technology and plantation could see buying support picking up.
It added that the plantation sector will see firmer trading activities in view of stronger crude palm oil futures (FCPO) prices.