KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14): The FBM KLCI got off to a cautious start this morning, as local economic data set to be released later today caught investors’ attention.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI added 2.01 points to 1,835.03.

The early gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Southern Steel Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Malaysia Steel Worls (KL) Bhd, Kuchai Development Bhd, Hai-On Enterprise Bhd, Ann Joo Resources Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Lion Industries Bhd and Genting Bhd.

Malaysia Q4 GDP data will be released noon today and market consensus are expecting at 5.8%.

Asian shares were set for a tense session on Wednesday as investors await readings on U.S. inflation that could fan fears of faster rate hikes and unleash another burst of global volatility, according to Reuters.

The early inclination was to inch higher as E-Minis for the S&P 500 added 0.1 percent and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a markete preview said US markets climbed overnight after extending their rebounds amid volatile trading ahead of the release of inflation data later today.

It said that earlier, European stocks tumbled, led by declines in telecommunication counters following quarterly results and flat inflation in the UK.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI added 2.85 points to 1833.02 points.

“Following the mixed performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI is expected to remain sideways below the resistance of 1840 points,” it said.