KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 3): Sellers on Bursa Malaysia outpaced buyers as regional markets slipped, but the benchmark FBM KLCI eked out marginal gains.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI gained 0.11 points to 1,770.72.

Losers led gainers by 332 to 263, while 446 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 959.57 million shares valued at RM757.95 million.

The gainers included Rev Asia Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd (IWCity), Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Lii Hen Industries Bhd and United Plantations Bhd.

The actives included Globaltec Formation Bhd, IWCity, AirAsia X Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Rev Asia, Dataprep Holdings Bhd, Sterling Progress Bhd and mTouche Technology Bhd.

The decliners included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, NPC Resources Bhd, MISC Bhd, KEM Industries Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Tasek Corporation Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd and Apex Equity Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares slid on Thursday, led by falls in South Korean tech shares, as investors locked in recent gains after Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average broke the 22,000 barrier for the first time in its 121-year history, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 0.9%, with South Korea's tech-heavy Kospi index on course to drop 1.8%, its biggest fall since November, it said.

Affin Hwang IB vice president and head of retail research Datuk Dr Nazri Khan Adam Khan said Asian markets drifted lower this morning on the back on geopolitical concerns in North Korea, US's sanctions against Russia, and China's less optimistic economics data.

"On the other hand, Dow closed above the 22,000 level and the dollar dropped to its lowest levels in more than two-and-a-half years against the euro in overnight trading.

"These mixed sentiments might lead the FBM KLCI Index to continue drifting sideways. For small and mid-cap stocks, the rotational play is expected to continue with market [seeing] more of these stocks trending upward, in line with their growth in earnings and business.

"In addition, accumulation of quality large cap stocks continues as investors see value after recent consolidation," he said.