Malaysian shares rebounded on the week's close following the release of upbeat economic data. The index also took cues from the positive performance of regional peers.
The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI, the main gauge of Malaysian stocks, added 5.91 points to end 0.38% higher at 1,575.16 at the close.
The index opened lower but kept adding gains as the session progressed to end in the green territory. The day ranged between 1,566.34 and 1,575.57.
In economic news, Malaysia's producer price index rose 1.6% annually in March, faster than the 0.3% rise in the preceding month, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said Friday. This index measures the average change in the prices charged by businesses in the manufacturing industry.
Elsewhere, Malaysia's terms of trade rose 1.6% month on month to 115.2 points in March and climbed 4.4% compared with a year ago, according to Department of Statistics data.
The nation's export unit value index edged up 1.7% during the month versus the previous month and was up 5.1% versus a year earlier. Meanwhile, the import unit value index rose 0.1% in March versus the preceding month and was up 0.6% annually.
In corporate news, shares of the management services provider Quality Concrete Holdings (KLSE:QUALITY) surged 33%, and those of the construction company Rekatech Capital (KLSE:REKATECH) rallied 20% on Friday's close.
