KUALA LUMPUR (June 17): The FBM KLCI dipped in early trade today, weighed by select bulue chips including Petronas-linked stocks.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI shed 0.06 points to 1,614.84.

The top losers included Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, IOI Corporation Bhd, Lafarge Malaysia Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd.

Asian shares rose on Friday, but remained on track for weekly losses in a week dominated by fears that British voters will opt to leave the European Union in next week's referendum, according to Reuters.

Campaigning for the upcoming vote, which overshadowed this week's central bank meetings, was temporarily halted after a British member of parliament was shot and fatally wounded on Thursday, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets ended its 5-day losing streak after rising overnight led by telecommunication counters.

It said that earlier, European stocks declined after the latest interest rate decisions by central banks in the US and Japan as well as lingering concerns on Brexit.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI plunged 13.06 points to 1614.90 points.
“Following the rebound in US stocks, the FBM KLCI could follow suit with support at 1610 points,” it said.