KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 14): The FBM KLCI edged lower this morning, tracking regional markets, dragged by losses at select blue chips.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI dipped 1.01 points to 1,785.06.

The top losers included Globetronics Technology Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, SIG Gases Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, MISC Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, MMC Corp Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd.

Asian stocks edged down on Thursday, consolidating after touching their highest in a decade, while the dollar held steady before the U.S. inflation report for August is published, according to Reuters.

Financial markets will also be on tenterhooks ahead of a run of data from China due at 0200 GMT, including factory output, fixed asset investment and retail sales, that will show the strength of the world’s second-biggest economy, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets extended their record highs as gains in energy counters offset decline in technology stocks.

It said that earlier, European stocks tumbled led by losses in mining and basic resources counters.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 3.79 points to 1786.07 points.

“Following the mixed performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI is expected to continue hovering below the resistance of 1800 points,” it said.