KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 9): The FBM KLCI slipped 7.59 points or 0.5% on profit taking as investors anticipated US President-elect Donald Trump's press conference this Wednesday.

Trump's press conference will be closely watched for clues on US policies when he becomes president. Trump's inauguration as US president will be held on Jan 20.

At Bursa Malaysia today, the KLCI closed at its intraday low at 1,667.90 points. Investors took profit after the index gained 15.67 points last Friday.

Today, Bursa Malaysia saw 1.8 billion shares worth RM1.45 billion traded. There were 375 gainers and 422 decliners.

Mercury Securities Sdn Bhd research head Edmund Tham told theedgemarkets.com that "the external environment has continued to create uncertainties in the market, which is probably the reason for the (KLCI's) decline today."

Reuters reported that Asian stocks cut early gains as investor caution grew before a news conference by President-elect Trump on Wednesday, where his views on global trade and China will be carefully scrutinised for future policy implications.

The dollar stood tall against rivals on Monday after the latest US payrolls data indicated strong underlying wage growth, strengthening the case for more rate increases in 2017.