At 9.05am the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 2.59 points at 1,526.38 from Thursday's close of 1,523.79.
It opened higher following bargain hunting activities for heavyweights driven by Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas) and Sime Darby Plantation.
The index opened 1.59 points at 1,525.38.
On the broader market, investors saw gainers outnumber losers by 175 to 160, while 250 counters were unchanged, 1,738 untraded and 20 suspended.
Total turnover at 214.78 million units worth RM830.31 million.
A note issued by Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd stated that although bargain hunting activity took place in some selected sectors, increased volatility across regional bourses coupled with concerns over corporate earnings may weigh on investor sentiment.
He added that the Melaka state election may affect trading activities throughout the local bourse.
In addition, investors may focus on high -income sectors such as banking and plantation stocks.
Heavyweights saw Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (PetChem) remain at RM8.04 and RM8.31 respectively while Public Bank Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd rose 2 sen at RM4.07 and RM6.55.
Active stocks saw Tanco Holdings Bhd down 0.5 sen at 26.5 sen, KNM Group Bhd down 1 sen at 17 sen and Avillion Bhd added 1 sen at 14 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas index increased 16.67 points to 11,248.13, the FBMT 100 index increased 15.09 points to 10,902.60, the FBM Emas Shariah index rose 16.71 points to 12,229.07 while the FBM ACE decreased 8.41 points to 6,808.47 and the FBM 70 declined 7.13 points to 14,797.13.
The Industrial Products and Services index rose 0.15 points at 199.28, the Plantation index rose 22.48 points at 6,614.02 and the Financial Services index increased 22.69 points at 15,195.68.
