KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 12): The FBM KLCI managed to stay above the crucial 1,700-point level at midday break today, despite losing 0.31% in the morning session, in tandem with decline at regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 5.30 points to 1,702.79. The index had earlier slipped to a low of 1,700.83.

Losers led gainers by 349 to 251, while 1,251 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 868.19 million shares, valued at RM541.46 million.

Top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Amway Holdings (M) Bhd, Time Dotcom Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Tasek Corp Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, QL Resources Bhd and Bursa Malaysia Bhd.

The actives included Sapura Energy Bhd, Tatt Giap Group Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd and Velesto Energy Bhd.

The gainers included Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Dufu Technlogy Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, MISC Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd and Nestle (M) Bhd.

Asian shares fell on Monday, extending weakness in global equity markets at the end of last week, as soft Chinese economic data and falling oil prices rekindled anxiety about the outlook for world growth, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.17% in early trade. Australian shares were down 0.08%, while Japan's Nikkei stock index eased 0.12%, Reuters said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index ended the week on a sour note, dropping 13.33 points, erasing gains made earlier in the week.

“Performance of our local index was in tandem with our regional peers, as the Fed kept interest rates unchanged.                                                         

“Technically, the recent rebound seen in the US markets may be deemed to be overbought and we may see global markets resuming its prevailing down trend.

“This could potentially have a negative impact on our local market, moving through this week,” the research house said.