KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 17): The FBM KLCI dipped at the midday break on Tuesday, dragged by mild pre-holiday profit taking.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 3.20 points to 1,805.69.

The top losers in the morning session included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Malaysia Smelting Corporation Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Capital Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd, Mitrajaya Holdings Bhd, Guiness Anchor Bhd and Tahps Group Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included Perisai Petroleum Teknologi Bhd, Asia Bio Energy Technologies Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, Kronologi Asia Bhd and KNM Group Bhd.

The gainers included Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Suria Capital Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, VS Industry Bhd, United Plantations Bdh and Lafarge Malaysia Bhd.

Asian share markets and the euro retreated on Tuesday as talks between Greece and euro zone finance ministers broke down after Athens rejected a proposal to request a six-month extension of its international bailout programme, according to Reuters.

U.S. stock futures fell 0.5 percent in Asian trade while Japan's Nikkei share average shed 0.3 percent. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.2 percent, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said it anticipated profit taking ahead of long CNY holidays and a collapse in Greece’s debt talks .

“Weekly trading range: 1793-1820,” it said.