Malaysian shares finished slightly up on Wednesday, with sentiment boosted by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's upbeat comments about the economy.
The 100-stock Composite Index added 0.27 percent to 840.88 after trading within a three-point band.
In the broader market, a modest 306 million shares worth 549 million ringgit ($144 million) were traded with 399 gainers and 286 losers.
Analysts said volumes were thin as there were no major corporate developments to spur fresh trading interest.
"There just isn't enough good news or feel good factors to get investors off the sidelines," said Choo Swee Kee, chief investment officer at KLCS Asset Management.
Investors were also worried about steep oil prices which could drive up manufacturing costs that eventually have to be passed onto consumers, and ultimately dampen economic growth.
Among the blue chips, lender Maybank rose 2.9 percent to 10.70 ringgit. The stock lost 1.9 percent on Tuesday.
Investment banking sources told Reuters that Maybank is interested in acquiring a majority stake in medium-sized Indonesian bank PT Bank Permata Tbk worth at least US $247 million.
Phone firm Telekom Malaysia and national utility Tenaga Nasional were flat at 10.50 ringgit and 10.30 ringgit, respectively.
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