KUALA LUMPUR (March 24): The FBM KLCI fell at the opening bell in line with most regional markets and the overnight decline at Wall Street.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI lost 8.04 points to 1,716.51.

The top losers included Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Teck Guan Perdana Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Lafarge Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Maxis Bhd and MISC Bhd.

The dollar rose for a fifth straight session on Thursday, pressuring commodities and Asian share markets after yet another Federal Reserve official talked up the chances of more than one increase in U.S interest rates this year, according to Reuters.

If the dollar can keep its footing it will notch up the first weekly gain in a month against a basket of major currencies, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said the US market declined overnight as oil prices fell below US$40 a barrel.

It said that earlier, European markets ended mixed amid terrorist attacks on Belgium and lower commodity counters.

“On the local front, the FBM KLCI ended flat after losing 0.20 points to 1724.55 points.

“Following the decline in Wall Street, the FBM KLCI is expected to be negative today with support at 1710 points,” it said.