KUALA LUMPUR (April 2): The FBM KLCI slipped at mid-morning today, erasing its earlier marginal gains.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI slipped 0.39 points to 1,863.07. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,864.17.

Decliners led advancers by 262 to 191, while 304 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 613.66 million shares valued at RM221.53 million.

The top losers included Ayer Holdings Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, KLCC Property Holdings Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd and S P Setia Bhd.

The actives included SKH Consortium Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, PUC Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Berjaya Corp Bhd, Sumatec Resources Bhd and Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd.

The gainers included Far East Holdings Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Genting Bhd, George Kent (M) Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Kawan Food Bhd and Caely Holdings Bhd.

Asian stocks began the new quarter on Monday with mild gains following a strong performance by global equities last week, while the US dollar held steady awaiting key economic indicators, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3%, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research in a traders' brief said that in the US, investors will be focusing on the March payroll report, which will be released next Friday and will be able to provide clarity of the jobs market in the US.

"Also, this may be a data that will be crucial for Federal Reserve to determine the interest rates outlook for the rest of the year.

"Stocks on the local bourse could trade on a cautious tone as investors (are) still deploying a wait-and-see strategy ahead of the GE14.

"However, we believe trading interest should continue within selected oil and gas stocks amid the firmer Brent oil prices," it said.