KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 14): The FBM KLCI lost 0.49% at the midday break today, tracking global markets and dragged by index-linked blue chips.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 8.24 points to 1,679.33.

Losers led gainers by 476 to 236, while 1,169 counters were unchanged. Volume was 1.18 billion shares valued at RM752.88 million.

Among the top losers were United Plantations Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Time dotCom Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd. Enra Group Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

The actives included Securemetric Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, My EG Services Bhd, PUC Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd and Lay Hong Bhd.

The gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, AirAsia Group Bhd, Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd, QL Resources Bhd and PPB Group Bhd.

Oil prices struggled for traction on Wednesday after sinking on worries about weakening world demand and oversupply, while global shares sagged with slowing growth concerns overshadowing potential positives such as progress in the Brexit saga, according to Reuters.

US crude futures dived 7% the previous day, suffering their biggest one-day loss in more than three years. The contracts last stood at US$55.38 per barrel for a loss of 0.55%, following a descent to a one-year low of US$54.75 overnight, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index continued to weaken, falling 8.57 points, closing at 1,687.57 yesterday.

It said prices are now below all of the exponential moving averages, indicating a negative view.

"Prices may find support at current levels but downward bias persists, contributed by weakening global markets and falling oil prices.

"The FBM KLCI Index is resuming its prevailing downtrend," it said.