KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed above the 1,600 mark buoyed by the improving global market sentiment.
At 5pm, FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI closed 0.66 per cent or 10.61 points higher at 1,606 mainly due to buying interests in Maxis Bhd, CelcomDigi Bhd and Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd.
The key index opened at 1,598.53 and hit the highest level of 1,609.57 throughout the day.
The market was positive with gainers leading decliners 646 to 406 while 522 counters were unchanged.
On the index board, FBM100 rose 0.65 per cent to 11,884.76, FBM Emas gained 0.66 per cent to 12,255.22 and FBM Ace added 1.29 per cent to 5,447.28.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the firm remains optimistic on Malaysian equities pending for a breakout from the consolidation mode, around 1,620 level, for the time being until fresh catalysts emerge.
"As such we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,590-1,620 for the week," he said.
He added that key regional indices finished on a positive note, with investors focusing on upcoming United States and China's economic data for updates on global growth.