KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): The FBM KLCI extended its lacklustre run this morning and remained in negative zone, weighed by losses at select key blue chips.

At 9.06am, the FBM KLCI shed 1.74 points to 1,774.92.

The early losers included Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Kimlun Corp Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, United Malacca Bhd, Genting Bhd and Padini Holdings Bhd.

Asian stocks were mostly steady on Wednesday after Wall Street again rose to record highs, although movements were limited as a wait-and-see mood prevailed before the Federal Reserve reveals its monetary policy stance later in the day, according to Reuters.

The Fed announcement is due at 1800 GMT (3 am Thursday Tokyo time). It is widely expected to keep rates steady after a two-day meeting but announce it will begin paring its bond holdings, with reductions likely to start in coming months, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets climbed overnight to extend their record highs as the Federal Reserve's 2-day meeting commenced.

It said that earlier, European stocks advanced as investors expect the Fed to maintain interest rate. 

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 7 points to 1776.66 points.

“Following the positive performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could follow suit and climb towards the resistance of 1800 points,” it said.