KUALA LUMPUR (June 20): The FBM KLCI could slip below the 1,700-point level today, as local investor sentiment could take a beating in line with the overnight fall at most global markets.

Global stock markets fell with U.S. bond yields and agricultural commodities on Tuesday, while the dollar rose and investors flocked to safety in the face of a rapidly escalating U.S.-China trade conflict, according to Reuters.

U.S. soybean futures were among the biggest casualties after President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff on another $200 billion of Chinese goods, a threat that China's commerce ministry described as "blackmailing," vowing to retaliate, it said.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 287.12 points, or 1.15 percent, to 24,700.35, the S&P 500 lost 11.18 points, or 0.40 percent, to 2,762.57 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 21.44 points, or 0.28 percent, to 7,725.59, said Reuters.

Based on corporate announcements and news flow yesterday, companies that could be in focus today may include the following: Top Glove Corp Bhd, GSB Group Bhd, Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd, PRG Holdings Bhd, Gabungan AQRS Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Lay Hong Bhd and AirAsia Group Bhd.