KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): The FBM KLCI drifted lower in early trade today against the backdrop of cautious regional markets, weighed by index-linked blue chips.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI dipped 1.10 points to 1,768.04.

The early losers included Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Sino Hua-An International Bhd, Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd and Unisem (M) Bhd.

Asian share markets drifted lower on Monday while currencies kept to familiar ranges ahead of a busy week peppered with central bank meetings, corporate results and updates on U.S. inflation and payrolls, according to Reuters.

Technology and energy shares led Japan's Nikkei down 0.4 percent in early trade, while tech also featured in South Korea's 0.2 percent decline, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview said US markets ended lower on Friday following losses in technology counters despite strong 2Q GDP growth.

It said that in contrast, European stocks rose amid quarterly earnings and easing trade concerns.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI added 2.91 points to 1769.14 points.

“Following the mixed performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could continue its sideways trend and hover below the resistance of 1800 points,” it said.