KUALA LUMPUR: Technology and semiconductor stocks attracted buying interest in early trade on Friday, dominating Bursa Malaysia's gainers list.
The sector outperformed despite weakness in the broader market as investors tracked a sharp overnight rally in US semiconductor shares.
The rally was sparked by comments from US President Donald Trump that Apple had agreed to work with Intel to design and manufacture chips in the United States.
Intel shares surged 10.6%, helping the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jump 6.4%, significantly outperforming the broader US market, according to Reuters.
The Bursa Malaysia Technology Index rose 1.35% to 74.44 at 9.47 am.
Among the top gainers were Malaysian Pacific Industries
(MPI), UWC, Unisem, MI Technovation and Greatech Technology.
MPI surged RM1.34 to RM49.90, while UWC climbed 24 sen to RM6.35. Unisem added 11 sen to RM4.73, while Greatech advanced eight sen to RM4.90.
MI Technovation and ViTrox also gained eight sen each to RM4.90 and RM7.57, respectively.
