KUALA LUMPUR (July 19): The FBM KLCI edged up cautiously in early trade today, lifted by select blue chips in line with regional markets.

At 9.01am, the FBM KLCI rose 0.44 points to 1,671.28.

The top gainers included Heineken Malaysia Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Public Bank Bhd and Hong Leong Bank Bhd.

Asian shares edged slightly lower in early Asian trade on Tuesday, as a downturn in crude oil curbed the enthusiasm from fresh record highs on Wall Street, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched down 0.1%, though it was still within sight of a nine-month high touched last week. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 both logged fresh record highs, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets extended their all-time highs after rising for a 7th straight day as the reporting season regained investor confidence.

It said that earlier, European stocks ended mixed following geopolitical tension and lower oil price.

"On the local market, the FBM KLCI added 2.44 points to 1,670.84 points.

"Following the positive performance in Wall Street, the bullish sentiment could lift the FBM KLCI with resistance at 1,685 points," it said.