KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI edged slightly higher on Tuesday amid the ongoing uncertainty as the Middle East conflict continued to play out.
The market barometer was up 4.13 points to 1,721.4 after some profit-taking in the previous session.
Apex Securities said the previous day's decline suggests contined profit-taking in large-cap names despite pockets of buying interest in small- and mid-term counters.
"The market breadth remaining mixed with advancers and decliners at 49:51 indicates that overall sentiment remains uncertain," it said in its market outlook.
"While the U.S. market closed mostly higher, gains were modest, reflecting cautious positioning ahead of major central bank meetings.
"Any escalation in the region, especially involving the Strait of Hormuz, could revive concerns over oil supply disruptions and weigh on risk assets.
"On the monetary policy front, markets will closely watch the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of England meetings this week."
Investors were seen picking up heavyweight banks including CIMB up nine sen to RM7.74, Public Bank gaining four sen to RM4.76, Maybank adding four sen to RM11.14 and Hong Leong Bank climbing 18 sen to RM22.52.
Among most active stocks, VS Industry slipped 0.5 sen to 22 sen, Malaysian Aviation Group was flat at 16.5 sen and Nationgate dropped one sen to 78 sen.
In oil markets, Brent crude futures eked higher to US$108.82 a barrel, en route to a seventh straight session of increase.
