KUALA LUMPUR (July 22): The FBM KLCI remained in negative territory at mid-morning today on domestic headwinds as well as tepid regional sentiment.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI lost 5.49 points to 1,730.70.

The top losers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Tahps Group Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Axis REIT, Digi.Com Bhd, Genting Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd.

The actively traded counters included Genting Malaysia Bhd, Privasia Technology Bhd, APFT Bhd, KNM Group Bhd, Sumatec Resources Bhd, Perisai Petroleum Teknologi Bhd and Heveaboard Bhd.

The top gainers included DKSH (M) Holdings Bhd, Poh Huat Resources Bhd, Perak Corporation Bhd, S P Setia Bhd, Power Root Bdh, Heveaboard, Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd and Pestech International Bhd.

Asian stocks got off to a bumpy start on Wednesday after earnings dragged down U.S. equities, while the dollar edged away from highs hit earlier this week, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.2 percent in early trading, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that given the FBM KLCI’s strong gain yesterday, its near term technical readings had improved.

“Nevertheless, Bursa Malaysia is still expected to continue its rangebound trading mode (i.e. 1685-1750) amid prolonged domestic headwinds.

“Near term key resistances are 1746-1769 while supports fall on 1685-1700,” it said.