Malaysian share prices closed slightly higher on Friday as profit-taking limited blue chip gains such as in gaming group Genting and Resorts, dealers said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index gained 3.19 points or 0.31 percent at 1,040.79 and trading volume was 1.21 billion shares valued at 1.39 billion ringgit (381 million dollars) and losers outnumbered gainers 446 to 420.
At the close, the ringgit was quoted at 3.6535/6550 to the dollar. "We had seen some sideways trading but volume remained strong - there had been a mixture of both local and foreign funds buying," said Tee Sze Chiah, investment analyst at Mayban Securities.
"Next week, trading is likely to turn relatively quiet after the week-day-long UMNO (ruling United Malays National Organisation) assembly ends today," he added. Index heavyweights ended mixed, with Telekom Malaysia falling 0.25 ringgit at 9.30 on profit-taking, Tenaga was flat at 10.50 and Maybank up 0.10 at 11.40. Among blue chips, Genting posted the biggest gain, rising 1.25 ringgit to 27.25 and Resorts rose 0.20 at 12.40.