KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): Selected tech-heavyweight counters appeared as top gainers on the local bourse on Friday (March 25).

Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd emerged as the top gainer after it rose RM1.60 or 4.26% to RM39.18, giving it a market value of RM8.22 billion. 

Automation solutions provider Greatech Technology Bhd increased 14 sen or 2.97% to RM4.85 at the time of writing, valuing the company at RM6.07 billion. 

Meanwhile, ViTrox Corporation Bhd gained 12 sen or 1.5% to RM8.14, giving it a market capitalisation of RM7.68 billion. 

Across the broader market, the Bursa Malaysia Technology Index (KLTech Index) edged higher by 1.01 points or 1.33% to 79.43.

Bernama reported that Bursa Malaysia was 0.22% higher on Friday morning as it tracked global equities and followed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis as investors adopted a wait-and-see approach on possible enforcement blocks of Russian fuel imports.

Separately, Public Investment Bank Bhd, in a morning note, said Wall Street stocks rose and government bonds remained under pressure on Thursday as US President Joe Biden met NATO and G7 leaders to discuss their collective response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It said the parties had forged an agreement to step up preparations for potential chemical and nuclear weapon threats, while investors were awaiting a response from European Union leaders on possible blocks to Russian fossil fuel imports.

“Investors also remained focused on the path of monetary policy and persistent inflation after retracing earlier losses stemming from the onset of Russia’s war with Ukraine,” it said.