KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): The FBM KLCI dipped 0.19% at the midday break today, weighed by losses at select index-linked key blue chips.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 3.40 points to 1,773.26.

Losers led gainers by 316 to 252, while 473 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.50 billion shares, valued at RM993.73 million.

The top losers included United Plantations Bhd, United Malacca Bhd, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Padini Holdings Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd, Maxis Bhd and Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd.

The actives included Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Sumatec Resources Bhd, UMW Oil & Gas Corp Bhd, KNM Group Bhd, CIMB and Scomi Group Bhd.

The gainers included KESM Industries Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Lii Hen Industries Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Hibiscus and PPB Group Bhd.

Asian stocks were mostly steady on Wednesday, after Wall Street again rose to record highs, although movements were limited as a wait-and-see mood prevailed before the Federal Reserve reveals its monetary policy stance later in the day, according to Reuters.

The caution in financial markets ahead of the Fed has kept investors from making sharper adjustments to their positions, despite heightened tensions over the Korean peninsula, following hawkish statements from U.S. President Donald Trump overnight, Reuters said.

CIMB Retail Research said the local bourse was down 7.00 points or 0.39% on Tuesday, in line with most regional markets, as investors remained cautious ahead of the Fed meeting tonight.

“Today, the local market sentiment would continue to be lacklustre before the FOMC releases its monetary policy statement.

“Investors are in wait-and-see mode. The expectations are that rates may remain unchanged and the Fed might start balance sheet unwinding.

“Resistance: 1,800 & 1,825. Support: 1,775 & 1,759,” the research house said.