Bursa Malaysia's trading session was mixed after opening weak before rebounding slightly despite global equity markets experiencing a sharp decline.
At 9am, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was up 1.55 points at 1,412.87 from Wednesday's close of 1,411.32.
The index opened 2.49 points weak at 1,408.83.
On the broader market, losers at 131 outnumbered gainers at 112, while 203 counters were unchanged, 1,830 untraded and 8 suspended.
Total turnover at 95.71 million units worth RM39.55 million.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd's vice president of equity research, Thong Pak Leng in his note said that the United States (US) annual inflation rate which rose 9.1% in June had caused the global equity market to turn negative.
However, the local market showed bargain-hunting activity that will continue to push the KLCI to the 1,400 support level with sentiment remaining cautious.
Meanwhile, the firm expects the index to be in the range of 1,405 to 1,425 today.
Heavyweights saw Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd remain at RM8.61 and RM5.09, Public Bank Bhd down 1 sen at RM4.36, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd added 3 sen at RM7.91 and IHH Healthcare Bhd. Rose 4 sen to RM6.46.
Active stocks saw Metronic Global Bhd rise 1.5 sen at 8.5 sen, MAG Holdings Bhd and Borneo Oil Bhd remained at 18 sen and 2.5 sen respectively while XOX Networks Bhd gained 1 sen at 3 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas index rose 10.80 points at 10,034.40, the FBM Emas Shariah index jumped 17.81 points at 10,057.73, FBM 70 strengthened 18.46 points at 12,055.86, the FBMT 100 index gained 11.76 points at 9,797.73, and FBM ACE gained 31.14 points at 4,570.
In terms of sector, the Financial Services index declined 11.93 points at 16,008.27, the Products and Services Industry index added 0.63 points at 167.34 and the Plantation index contracted 17.43 points at 6,669.27.
