KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): The FBM KLCI is seen extending its gains, albeit cautiously against the backdrop of an increase in crude oil prices and jittery technology-related stocks.

However, any gain at the local market is seen capped as broader market sentiment will likely remain tentative. On Tuesday, the broader market breadth was negative with losers leading gainers.

A rise in oil prices to three-week highs helped lift equity markets worldwide on Tuesday, while the U.S. dollar jumped ahead of a meeting of Federal Reserve policymakers, who are expected to go ahead with the first of at least three U.S. rate hikes this year, according to Reuters.

U.S. technology stocks lagged broader markets, continuing a sell-off sparked by reports of large-scale misuse of Facebook user data. Facebook Inc shares lost 2.5 percent, continuing a slide that took nearly 7 percent off their price on Monday, it said.

While stocks on Wall Street climbed, Facebook's drop kept the gains in check.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 116.36 points, or 0.47 percent, to 24,727.27, the S&P 500 gained 4.02 points, or 0.15 percent, to 2,716.94 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 20.06 points, or 0.27 percnet, to 7,364.30, said Reuters.

Based on corporate announcements and news flow yesterday, companies in focus today may include: Axiata Group Bhd, PUC Bhd, Mudajaya Group Bhd, Crest Builder Group Bhd, Tien Wah Press Holdings Bhd, Pasukhas Group Bhd, KSL Holdings Bhd, XingHe Holdings Bhd, OldTown Bhd, Comintel Corp Bhd and Berjaya Media Bhd.