KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 10): The FBM KLCI fell in early trade today, dragged by losses at index-linked blue chip stocks.

At 9.01am, the FBM KLCI fell 4.17 points to 1,667.54.

The top losers included PPB Group Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong  Bhd, Westports Holdings Bdh, UMW Holdings Bhd, Lii Hen Industries Bhd, IHH Heatlhcare Bhd, Ireka Corporation Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd.

Asian shares held near one-year highs on Wednesday as investors pared expectations slightly for a Federal Reserve interest rate increase following weak U.S. productivity data, which drove the dollar and Treasury yields lower, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares excluding Japan rose 0.1 percent, staying near a one-year high hit the previous day. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.6 percent on the yen's gains, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets climbed slightly higher with the Nasdaq hitting a new high amid lower oil prices.

It said that European stocks also gained as several earnings announcements beat expectations.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI shed 0.97 points to 1671.71 points.

“Following the positive performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could remain buoyed below the resistance of 1685 points,” it said.