KUALA LUMPUR (June 19): The FBM KLCI edged up marginally in early trade this morning in line with the modest gains at most regional markets, but gains were seen limited.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI added 1.16 points to 1,792.47.

The early gainers included Petronas Gas Bhd, Oriental Holdings Bhd, LTKM Bhd, Far East Holdings Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Aluminium Company of Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd and Southern Acids Bhd.

Asian stocks began the week modestly higher on Monday after Wall Street offered little guidance, while sterling and the euro steadied before the start of talks over the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2 percent in early trading, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets ended mixed on Friday with the Dow climbing to a record high amid decline in retail and grocery counters.

It said that earlier, European stocks advanced after the IMF agreed to join the Greek bailout plan.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI added 1.30 points to 1791.31 points.

“Following the mixed performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could remain sideways below the psychological threshold of 1800 points,” it said.