KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): The FBM KLCI opened lower this morning, weighed by losses at key blue chips as regional markets touched a three-month low.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI dipped 4.61 points to 1,663.36.

The top losers included Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, IOI Corporation Bhd, MISC Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, UOA Development Group Bhd, IOI Properties Group Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd and SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd.

Asian stocks touched a three-month low early on Thursday as worries about the Chinese economy, reflected recently in a sharply lower yuan, kept investors nervous, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.1 percent, brushing its lowest level since late September. The index has lost about five percent so far this week, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets plunged overnight after oil price declined to a 11-year low, concern on global economic growth and geopolitical tensions.

Similarly, it said European equities closed sharply lower following lower oil price, North Korea's nuclear test and tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI closed 2.27 points higher at 1667.97 points after coming off an intra-day high of 1675.37 points.

“Following the bearish sentiment in global markets, the FBM KLCI could be under pressure today should investors take profit from this week's rebound. Immediate support is seen at 1645 points,” it said.