KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia started out on a mildly positive note on Tuesday after subsiding in the previous sesison below the 200-day simple moving average (SMA).

       At 9.05am, the country's benchmark FBM KLCI was up 1.29 points to 1,582.88, as it rose to meet the 200-day SMA amid expectations for the index to move sideways in consolidation mode.

       However, the uptrend on the market remained intact with the ongoing optimism over a gradual economic reopening.

       Over the previous session, foreign investors were net buyers on the market to the tune of RM72.2mil, marking a continuation of the foreign inflow that began in August.

       "We believe the ongoing discussion on SOP relaxation in preparation for the Covid-19 endemic phase coupled with the declining Covid-19 daily infections may continue to drive the recovery theme play across the board," said Malacca Securities Research in a note.

       The brokerage expects the focus to remain on sectors such as banking, consumer, construction and propery given the rate of daily Covid-19 infections falling to its lowest in 28 days.

       Meanwhile, commodity play Press Metal picked up in morning trade by 14 sen to RM5.65 amid rising alumunium prices.

       Plantation play PPB Group was up four sne to RM18.34 due to the attention on CPO prices but Sime Darby Plantation was subdued, losing two sen to RM3.92.

       Bank stocks eked higher with Maybank gaining one sen to RM8.34, Public Bank adding one sen to RM4.10 and Hong Leong Bank rising two sne to RM18.94, while CIMB lost one sen to RM4.95.

       On the broader market, top actives were KNM rising two sen to 31 sen, Hubline unchanged at four sen and TFP adding one sen to 24 sen.