KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): The FBM KLCI fell in early trade this morning as investors remained cautious ahead of the general election on Wednesday.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI fell 5.22 points to 1,836.61.

The top losers included Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Pentamaster Corp Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd, MISC Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Unisem (M) Bhd and Genting Malaysia Bhd.

Asian shares crept higher on Monday after a tame reading on U.S. wages lessened the risk of faster rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, although Sino-U.S. trade tensions and a looming deadline for the Iranian nuclear deal argued for caution, according to Reuters.

The week ahead also has important readings on the health of the Chinese economy, and hence global demand, as well as the latest data on U.S. consumer price inflation, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview said US markets rose on Friday following rise in tech counters after Apple hit a record high despite disappointing employment data.

It said that similarly, European stocks ended higher amid trade talks between US and China.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI plunged 9.97 points to 1841.83 points.

“Following the positive performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could stage a rebound with support at 1835 points,” it said.