KUALA LUMPUR (April 6): The FBM KLCI started off the day cautiously and dipped marginally in line with US and Japanese stock futures as a fresh round of overtures by U.S. President Donald Trump against China rattled investors nerves yet again.  

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI dipped 0.90 points to 1,835.23.

The decliners included Time Dotcom Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Sunsuria Bhd, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Frase & Neave Holdings Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, Genting Bhd and Pentamaster Corp Bhd.

U.S. stock markets slid and the yen rose against the dollar on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed additional tariffs on China, aggravating trade tensions and smothering a revival in broader investor risk appetite, according to Reuters.

The S&P 500 E-mini futures were down 1.45 percent, pointing to a lower start for Wall Street later in the session. Dow futures were down 1.7 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview said US markets jumped overnight after extending its rebound rally with gains from technology counters.

It said that similarly, European stocks advanced as fears of a trade war eased after the US said it is willing to negotiate with China on tariffs.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI surged 20.19 points to 1836.13 points after staging a sharp rebound.

“Despite the overnight bullish performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could resume its downtrend with the support of 1800 points as Trump threatens more tariffs on China,” it said.