KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed higher on Thursday driven by heavyweights such as utilities and industrial players. 

FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI closed 1.06 per cent or 16.23 points higher at 1,553.24 versus 1,537.01 on Wednesday's closing bell. 

The key index opened at 1,538.98 and moved between 1,537.25 and 1,554.33 throughout the trading session. 

The broader market saw gainers led decliners 656 to 340, while 487 counters were unchanged.

Malacca Securities Bhd head of research Loui Low said utilities and industrial players like YTL Corp Bhd's-related counters as well as Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd brought the positive sentiment to the key index. 

"We should be able to close higher for the week based on what we have seen in commodity prices. 

"The country is known as a commodity nation so higher oil prices and positive sentiments around commodities will boost sentiment on Bursa Malaysia. 

"Based on current position the index can close the week at 1,560 or higher and we expect support to be at 1,540," Low told Business Times. 

On the index board, FBM100 added 0.89 per cent to 11,322.19, FBM Emas gained 0.9 per cent to 11,688.96 and FBM Ace gained 0.84 per cent to 4,996.55. 

The most active counters included Velesto Energy Bhd which was up 3.39 per cent or one sen to 30.5 sen and Zantat Holdings Bhd rose 9.28 per cent or 4.5 sen to 53 sen.

On the losing end, Petronas Dagangan Bhd tumbled 0.73 per cent or 16 sen to RM21.86.