KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): The FBM KLCI extended its losses in early today as key heavyweights dragged the local index lower, tracking regional markets.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI fell 4.99 points to 1,840.28.

The early losers included Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Public Bank Bhd.

Asian stocks were on the defensive on Friday as worries over the U.S. investigation into the Trump Organization tested investor nerves, already frayed by fears U.S. tariffs could hurt the global economy and trigger a trade war, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2 percent in early trade. Japan's Nikkei was down 0.3 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview said US markets were ended mixed with the Dow rising but the S&P and Nasdaq closed slightly lower as concerns of a trade war with China continue to linger.

It said that earlier, European stocks advanced following stronger corporate earnings.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI plunged 11.79 points to 1845.27 points.

“Following the mixed performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI is expected to consolidate and trend sideways above the support of 1840 points,” it said.