KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 27): The FBM KLCI halted its losing streak and rose in early trade this morning, lifted by select blue chips, but gains if any are seen limited.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI added 1.95 points to 1,767.54.

The early gainers included Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Pentamaster Corp Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Time Dotcom Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Oriental Holdings Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Ann Joo Resources Bhd and Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd.

The dollar climbed to a one-month high and bond yields rose on Wednesday as risks grew for a U.S. interest rate hike in December, while Asian stocks hovered near multi-week lows as tensions in the Korean peninsula remain elevated, according to Reuters.

Markets were put on notice by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen who used a Tuesday speech to warn it would be "imprudent" to keep policy on hold until inflation is back to 2 percent. She said the U.S. central bank "should also be wary of moving too gradually" on rates, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets ended mixed with the Dow suffering its first 4-day losing streak since June as technology counters rebounded.

It said European stocks closed flat as investor sentiment improved from the previous day's selloff in technology counters and geopolitical concern on North Korea.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI dropped 3.55 points to 1765.59 points.

“Following the uninspiring performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI is expected to remain pressured and lackclustre in absence of catalyst with support at 1750 points,” it said.