KUALA LUMPUR (June 30): The FBM KLCI is poised to end the first half of 2017 today on a firm note, having notched up more than 120 points year-to-date, despite the overnight fall at most global markets.

The euro and sterling rose on Thursday and U.S. bond yields spiked as hawkish comments from central banks signaled an end to ultra-loose monetary policy on both sides of the Atlantic, while technology shares dragged Wall Street stocks lower, according to Reuters.

The dollar index touched its lowest since October, before Donald Trump was elected U.S. president, as investors shifted to the view that Federal Reserve might not be the only game in town when it comes to higher interest rates, it said.

Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 167.58 points, or 0.78 percent, to 21,287.03, the S&P 500 lost 20.99 points, or 0.86 percent, to 2,419.7 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 90.06 points, or 1.44 percent, to 6,144.35, said Reuters.

It said European shares logged their biggest one-day loss in nine months as a rising hawkish chorus from central banks weighed on defensive, dividend-paying sectors.

Based on corporate announcements and news flow yesterday, companies that may be in focus today may include the following: Poh Kong Holdings Bhd, Hiap Teck Venture Bhd, Kim Loong Resources Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, Berjaya Corp Bhd, Tasco Bhd, AEON Co (M) Bhd, Vivocom International Holdings Bhd, Hai-O Enterprise Bhd, Boon Koon Group Bhd, Hock Seng Lee Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, NTPM Holdings Bhd, TSR Capital Bhd, Kumpulan Jetson Bhd, Reach Energy  Bhd and PUC Founder (MSC) Bhd.