KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia’s key index ended higher today, recovering from early losses to remain above the 1,600-point level, supported by selective bargain-hunting in telecommunications and commodity-related heavyweights despite continued weakness in technology stocks.

Regional markets were mixed as investors reassessed technology earnings prospects and the sustainability of substantial artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments.

Apart from this, the Brent crude fell more than 3% to around US$110 per barrel amid hopes of easing Middle East tensions following diplomatic efforts involving Iran and Qatar, said Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng.

Thong said the local market remained resilient, supported by selective buying in fundamentally sound blue-chip stocks, although its recovery could be gradual amid uncertainties surrounding US interest rates and foreign fund flows.