KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 25): The FBM KLCI fell 1.76 points or 0.1%, partly on Axiata Group Bhd share losses and ahead of a speech by US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen at a global central bankers' meeting tomorrow.

At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,680.30 points. The index had earlier fallen to its intraday low at 1,678.27 points after Axiata said net profit fell 69% to RM188.93 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 (2QFY16) from a year earlier.

Today, Axiata shares fell 18 sen to close at RM5.49 to become Bursa Malaysia's eighth-largest decliner.

Yellen's speech will be closely watched for clues on the US interest rate direction, which could affect world markets.

Across Asian share markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 declined 0.25% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.03%.

Reuters reported that market expectations have increased that Yellen might indicate a clearer time frame for the next US rate hike after strong housing data this week and hawkish comments by other Fed officials, but many analysts expect her to strike a more neutral stance.

In Malaysia, RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd research head Alexander Chia told theedgemarkets.com the stock market was trading sideways as investors waited for Yellen's speech.

"We have seen the stock market crept higher since Brexit as there is some foreign inflow into the country," Chia said.

Bursa Malaysia saw 1.74 billion shares worth RM1.89 billion traded.

Decliners outnumbered gainers at 523 against 297 respectively.

Top gainer was Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd while KESM Industries Bhd led decliners. AirAsia X Bhd and Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd were among the most actively-traded stocks.