KUALA LUMPUR (April 12): The FBM KLCI paused for a breather at the midday break today, tracking the mostly mixed regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI dipped 3.23 points to 1,866.66. The index had risen to its intra-morning high of 1,873.27.

Losers led gainers by 347 to 201, while 566 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 2.16 billion shares valued at RM1.09 billion.

The top losers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, Magni-Tech Industries Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd and Lafarge Malaysia Bhd.

The actives included Sapura Energy Bhd, Sino Hua-An International Bhd, UMW Oil & Gas Corp Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Sumatec Resources Bhd, PUC Bhd and Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd.

The top gainers included Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Co Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Far East Holdings Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd and Aeon Co (M) Bhd.

Asian stocks came under pressure on Thursday as the threat of imminent US military action in Syria rattled investors and sent oil prices to their highest levels since late 2014 on concerns about supply, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.3% while Japan's Nikkei was down slightly, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said US stocks turned mostly lower and Treasuries rose after minutes from the most recent Federal Reserve meeting showed that officials are leaning toward a slightly faster pace of tightening.

It said the S&P 500 index fell by 0.6% to 2,642.19 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 218.55 points (0.9%) to 24,189.45.

"Stocks on Bursa Malaysia anticipated to be mixed on softer regional markets performance.

"Nonetheless, GE14 rally might resume toward end of the day as selected index-linked, and oil and gas stocks might drive the rally further," it said.