KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): The FBM KLCI fell 0.42% at the midday break today, dragged by losses including at Public Bank Bhd and MISC Bhd, in line with the drop at regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI lost 6.9 points to 1,649.68.

Losers led gainers by 336 to 179, while 544 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.38 billion shares valued at RM905.96 million.

The decliners included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Public Bank, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, MISC and Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd.

The actives included Only World Group Bhd (OWG), Green Packet Bhd, NetX Holdings Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd and KNM Group Bhd.

The gainers included G3 Global Bhd, Genting Malaysia, OWG, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd, Genting Bhd and Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd.

Asian share prices dropped on Friday following mixed US earnings reports and after the European Central Bank unexpectedly held interest rates steady, while the euro held above two-year lows struck overnight, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 0.45% while Japan's Nikkei lost 0.5%. Shanghai shares ticked down 0.15%, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index closed higher on Thursday, up 4.17 points or 0.25%, ending the session at 1,656.58.

It said the index closed higher despite a negative market breadth with 300 gainers as compared to 500 losers.

"Trading volume was at 2.76 billion shares while value traded stands at RM1.99 billion.

"Market performance remains muted throughout the week. Volatility was low as the index congested sideways for the whole week, hovering just below the 50- & 100-day EMA (exponential moving average).

"Anticipate the market to resume drifting lower after the end of the consolidation period, supported by weak daily technical indicators. Technical rebound anticipated in the near term," it said.