At 9am the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up 4.41 points at 1,601.54 from Tuesday's close of 1,597.13.
The index opened strong 2.49 points at 1,599.62.
It opened bouncing from yesterday’s losses to post slightly higher gains in the early morning as a result of new buying interest catalysts.
On the broader market, investors saw gainers at 207 outpacing losers at 103, while 222 counters were unchanged, 1,721 untraded and 12 suspended.
Total turnover at 199.14 million units worth RM70.68 million.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd's note said market volatility would remain due to higher -than -expected US consumer price (CPI) data, besides investors expected to focus on the Federal Reserve's (Fed) hawkish tone in curbing inflation.
Meanwhile, the construction and building materials sector is seen as an attraction for investors following rumors of a general election.
Heavyweights saw Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd gain 2 sen at RM8.84 and RM5.35, Public Bank Bhd added 1 sen at RM4.68 and IHH Healthcare Bhd gained 7 sen at RM6.43 while Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd remained at RM10.26.
Active stocks saw ATA IMS Bhd and Vortex Consolidated Bhd rise 1.5 sen at 54.4 sen and 21 sen while CSH Alliance Bhd, Techna-X Bhd and China Ouhua Winery Holdings Ltd collected 0.5 sen at 14.5 sen, 10 sen and 8.5 sen.
On the index board, the FBMT 100 index recovered 39.26 points at 11,135.79, the FBM Emas index strengthened 40.98 points at 11,484.65, the FBM Emas Shariah index added 51.01 points at 12,107.71, the FBM 70 collected 83.84 points at 13,822.14 and the FBM ACE rose 31.58 points at 5,836.69.
In terms of sectors, the Products and Services Industry index advanced 0.50 points at 213.52, the Financial Services index jumped 34.71 points at 16,753.69 and the Plantation index rose 27.53 points at 8,502.87.
