Zinc prices in the futures market inched higher on Friday as traders engaged in limited buying at lower levels, even as the absence of fresh triggers kept sentiment cautious.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), zinc contracts for January delivery rose by 80 paise, or 0.26 per cent, to Rs 312.75 per kg, with a trading volume of 1,178 lots.

Market participants attributed the marginal uptick to selective buying interest, while overall activity remained subdued due to a lack of clear directional cues.