KUALA LUMPUR (June 13): The FBM KLCI fell 0.46% at the opening bell today as regional markets skidded, weighed by blue chips including Petronas-linked and telecommunication stocks.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI fell 7.55 points to 1,633.67.

The top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares and sterling skidded in early Asian trade on Monday and the perceived safe-haven yen rose, as investors fretted ahead of this week's central bank meetings as well as Britain's June 23 referendum on whether to remain in the European Union, according to Reuters.

Also adding to the grim U.S. mood, an man armed with an assault rifle killed dozens at a packed gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, which President Barack Obama described as an act of terror and hate and an attack on all Americans, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets retreated last Friday on renewed concern of global economic slowdown ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting this week.

It said that similarly, European stocks declined on falling oil prices and fears of Brexit with the UK set to vote on June 23rd.

“On the local front, the FBM KLCI dropped 9.29 points to 1641.22 points.

“Following the bearish performance in the US and UK, the FBM KLCI is expected to remain lacklustre after failing to beat the resistance of 1660 points last week,” it said.