KUALA LUMPUR (March 9): The FBM KLCI is expected to continue with its consolidation mode today, with oil and gas related stocks likely in the limelight after global crude oil prices slumped more than 5% overnight.

The dollar gained and stocks on Wall Street mostly rose on Wednesday after U.S. private sector hiring surged in February, underscoring the economy's strength and adding to expectations the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week, according to Reuters.

The ADP National Employment Report showed private payrolls grew by 298,000 jobs last month, well above economists' expectations for a gain of 190,000. January's private payrolls gains were revised up to 261,000 from 246,000, it said.

Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped on Wednesday as energy stocks suffered their worst drop in nearly six months.

The energy sector, slumped 2.5 percent for its biggest decline since mid-September. Oil prices tumbled more than 5 percent in the wake of a much stronger-than-expected rise in U.S. inventories, said Reuters.

Based on corporate announcements and news flow yesterday, the companies in focus today may include the following: Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd, Alam Maritim Resources Bhd, Enra Group Bhd, LBS Bina Group Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, GHL Systems Bhd, AMMB Holdings Bhd, Engtex Group Bhd and Wintoni Group Bhd.