KUALA LUMPUR (March 27): The FBM KLCI fell 0.8% or 0.05 points to 1744.95 today amid regional economic weakness and US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of his healthcare reform Bill last week.

“A lot is taking place worldwide. There is the regional weakness, Trump’s decision to pull out his healthcare reform Bill and Dow Jones’ – yet again — weak performance (suffering for the seventh consecutive session since pre-US presidential election,” said TA Securities Holdings Bhd senior technical analyst Stephen Soo.

However, emerging markets stand to gain from the greenback’s depreciation against their currencies, Soo told theedgemarkets.com.

“With the weakening of the US dollar, the ringgit is then given a boost and this is positive for Malaysia. Market’s expectation remains bumpy but on a brighter note, we are seeing a reversal of outflow coming into the region,” added Soo.

Moving forward, counters to look out for are those attached to the construction and oil and gas industries, said Soo. "As for the latter, global crude oil prices are strengthening and this bodes well for the ringgit," he said.

Reuters today reported that concerns on a recent pick-up in global business and consumer confidence especially in Asia would begin diminishing in the face of growing US policy uncertainty.

On the broader market at Bursa Malaysia, losers led gainers by 586 to 363.

A total of 3.97 billion shares valued at about RM2.49 billion were traded.

Among the top gainers were British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, United Plantations Bhd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd. Top losers included KESM Industries Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd and Tahps Group Bhd.

Regionally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.44%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 0.68%, and South Korea’s Composite Stock Price Index dipped 0.61%.