KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia bounced higher on Wednesday after falling below 1,600 points in the previous session amid a downturn in global equities markets.

       While Wall Street continued to slide for a third straight day on fears of aggressive interest rate hikes, the domestic market was supported by buying in financial and healthcare counters.

       At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI was up 4.41 points to 1,601.54. The overall market was positive with 208 gainers compared to 105 decliners.

       IHH Healthcare rose seven sen to RM6.43 amid the bargain-hunting while bank stocks were slightly improved after a recent fall.

       Maybank added one sen to R8.83, Public Bank gained one sen to RM4.68 and CIMB rose one sen to RM5.34.

       Plantation plays Kuala Lumur Kepong dropped six sen to RM27.14 while Sime Darby Plantation rose four sen to RM5.30 and IOI climbed four sen to RM4.39.

       Despite a mild decline on the Nasdaq overnight, technology stocks on Bursa bounced back from a rout in the previous session.

       MPI rose 76 sen to RM33.10, Vitrox gained 13 sen to RM7.71 and D&O added 11 sen to RM4.20.

       Malaysian Airports was also seen putting on weight with the reopening of the country's borders, adding nine sen to RM6.95.

       Among top actives, CSH was flat at 14 sen, ATA IMS down one sen to 52 sen and VC up 0.5 sen to 20 sen.