KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): The FBM KLCI drifted lower in early trade this morning, dragged by select index-linked blue chips, against the backdrop of steady regional markets.

At 9.10am, the FBM KLCI dipped 3.65 points to 1,564.79.

The early decliners included Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, NPC Resources Bhd, Favelle Favco Bhd, Magnum Bhd, IGB Bhd, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

Bloomberg said Asian stocks were poised to kick off the week with gains after U.S. equities rallied Friday on better-than-expected jobs data. Currencies were steady early Monday.

Futures in Japan and Hong Kong pointed higher while Australian shares opened firmer. Gains may be kept in check as the Dec. 15 U.S.-China tariff deadline looms with an agreement still pending. Weekend data showing a drop in Chinese exports underlined the stakes for growth. S&P 500 futures were flat. On Friday, the S&P 500 Index rose for a third day after reports showed payrolls jumped the most since January, wages beat estimates and consumer sentiment increased. Treasury yields climbed above 1.80%, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research said US stocks surged on last Friday on the back of U.S. jobs growth that easily topped analyst expectations as Wall Street wrapped up a choppy week of trading.

It said that similarly, European stocks closed higher Friday as investors digested a better-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report from the U.S.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI gained 4.86 points to 1568.44 points.

“Following the positive performances in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could trend upwards with its resistance level of 1615 points,” it said.