KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): The FBM KLCI fell 0.31% at mid-morning today, in line with the subdued regional markets.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI fell 5.68 points to 1,820.23.

Losers hammered gainers by 652 to 122 while 292 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.33 billion shares valued at RM685 million.

The top losers included Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Magni-Tech Industries Bhd and UMW Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Sumatec Resources Bhd, Globaltec Formation Bhd, Perisai Petroleum Teknologi Bhd, Vizione Holdings Bhd, Sino Hua-An International Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, NetX Holdings Bhd, Diversified Gateway Solutions Bhd and UMW Oil & Gas Corp Bhd.

The gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Lysaght Galvanized Steel Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd. Johore Tin Bhd, Amway Holdings (M) Bhd, Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd and Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares slumped on Tuesday, as miners were pressured by weaker Chinese iron ore prices, while the euro stood near a 3-year peak on rising expectations that the European Central Bank could pare its monetary stimulus, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.2 percent in early trade. U.S. markets were closed for a public holiday on Monday, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research in a traders’ brief said in the near term, Dow’s uptrend may sustain on the back of positive tax reform and bullish outlook of synchronized growth in global economy coupled with stellar corporate earnings growth.

“Key technical indicators are mostly favourable, suggesting that the index is likely to continue its primary uptrend towards 26,000-26,300. Any pullback is likely limited with supports at 25,000-25,200.

“Give the Ringgit strength and surging oil prices, sentiment on the local bourse could stay positive, despite interim consolidations, as KLCI is expected to play catch-up with its regional peers due to its laggard status,” it said.