KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 27): The FBM KLCI extended its loss in early trade today in line with the pause at regional markets and the overnight dip at most global markets.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI fell 4.22 points to 1,702.57.

The top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Oriental Holdings Bhd, Kian Joo Can Factory Bhd, DiGi.Com Bhd, Genting Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd.

Asian share markets paused for breath on Tuesday after a four-week romp higher, as investors took cover ahead of central bank meetings in the United States and Japan later in the week, according to Reuters.

Moves were modest with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan off 0.07 percent. Japan's Nikkei dipped 0.1 percent, though remained near a two-month high, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US equities ended flat amid corporate earnings announcements and disappointing new home sales.

Similarly, it said European markets were mixed ahead of central bank meetings in the US and Japan.

The research house said investors will be looking at potential stimulus and the outcome of those meetings as well as US durable goods orders and consumer confidence data later today.

“On the local bourse, the FBM KLCI bucked regional trend after declining 4.14 points to 1706.79 points.

“Following the lacklustre performance in the US, we expect the KLCI to remain range bound with support at 1685 points,” it said.