KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 8): The FBM KLCI fell 0.28% in early trade this morning in line with the pause at most regional markets, dragged by losses at key heavyweights.

At 9.06am, the FBM KLCI fell 4.97 points to 1,745.97.

The top losers included Petronas Gas Bhd, Latitude Tree Holdings Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bdh, iCapital Biz Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Hexza Corporation Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd, Uchi Technologies Bhd, Public Bank Bhd and Mulpha International Bhd.

Asian shares paused at decade peaks and the dollar dipped on Wednesday amid concerns Republican plans for major U.S. tax cuts were running into headwinds even before the Senate releases its own version of the proposals, according to Reuters.

Investors were also keeping a wary eye on Saudi Arabia's sweeping anti-graft purge and an escalation of tensions with Iran, though oil prices did ease from their highs, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview said the Dow Jones industrial average rose 8.81 points to 23,557.23, eking out a record closing high. Media stocks shined on Tuesday as investor sentiment was lifted by the prospects of dealmaking within the sector.

It said that meanwhile, the pan-European Stoxx 600 closed lower by 0.39 percent, with major bourses and most sectors in the red.

“The FBM KLCI index gained 8.65 points or 0.50% to end at 1750.94 points yesterday on the back of foreign buying.

“We expect the local benchmark index to retrace and hover below the 1750 level on profit taking for today,” it said.