KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 29): The FBM KLCI retreated at mid-morning today, as the selldown at the local market resumed.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI fell 2.02 points to 1,756.04.

Losers led gainers by 256 to 193, while 294 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 381.49 million shares valued at RM177.29 million.

The top losers included Lafarge Malaysia Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Rapid Synergy Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Hai-O Enterprise Bhd, Bison Consolidated Bhd and Mulpha International Bhd.

The actives included Hiap Teck Venture Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Trive Property Group Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, Dagang NeXchange Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Focus Dynamics Bhd and SMTrack Bhd.

The gainers included Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Genting Plantations Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Southern Acids (M) Bhd, Magni-Tech Industries Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Hong Leong Bank Bhd.

Asian shares tried to regain some poise on Friday after a tough week in which the gathering risk of a U.S. rate rise lifted Treasury yields toward nine-year highs and boosted borrowing costs across the region, according to Reuters.

Activity seemed mainly confined to book-squaring for the end of the month and quarter, and moves in markets were modest at best, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets ended slightly higher with the S&P hitting a record high following optimism on Trump's tax reform plan.

It said that earlier, European stocks also climbed after the European Central Bank hinted it might extend its monetary policy.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI dropped 6.18 points to 1758.06 points.

“Following the bearish momentum, the FBM KLCI could extend its selldown towards the support of 1750 points,” it said.