KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): The FBM KLCI eked out marginal gains at mid-morning in line with the wary regional markets.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI was up 1.26 points to 1,642.63.

The top gainers included KESM Industries Bhd, Amway (M) Holdings Bhd, United U-Li Corporation Bhd, Can-One Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Harbour-Link Group Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Sasbadi Holdings Bhd and Only World Group Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Borneo Oil Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, JAG Bhd, Instacom Group Bhd and RGB International Bhd.

The decliners included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd and Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd.

Asian shares crept off four-year lows on Wednesday as China's efforts to stabilise its currency brought a moment of calm to equity markets, even as oil marked a sorry new milestone under $30 a barrel, according to Reuters.

Japan's Nikkei bounced 1.8 percent from a near-one-year trough. Australian stocks eked out a 0.4 percent rise while South Korea put on 0.7 percent, it said.

BIMB Securities Research said that in Asia, markets closed mixed yesterday amid lingering headwinds such as lower commodity prices and concerns over China's economic prospects.

Locally, it said the FBM KLCI advanced 3.78 points or 0.23% to close at 1,641.37 points.

“Trading participation shows net selling by foreign institutions while local institutions and retail were net buyers.

“We expect the local market to remain volatile and expected to hover around 1,635-1,650,” it said.