KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 26): The FBM KLCI fell 0.47% at the midday break today as energy-related stocks slipped following crude oil prices retreating after US President Donald Trump called on OPEC to ease efforts to boost crude prices.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 8.19 points to 1,716.39. The energy index lost 1.91% or 18.90 points to 970.80.

Losers led gainers by 471 to 163, while 470 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.47 billion shares valued at RM880.65 million.

The top losers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Deleum Bhd, Wah Seong Corp Bhd and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Econpile Holdings Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, GD Express Carrier Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd and Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd.

The gainers included United Plantations Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, Merge Energy Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Amway (M) Holdings Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

Asian shares lost steam on Tuesday after scaling a five-month high as investors waited to see if Washington and Beijing can clinch a trade deal, while the pound advanced on hopes UK Prime Minister Theresa May will delay a Brexit deadline, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.5% from its highest since mid-September as US and Chinese negotiators work to hammer out a deal that would end a protracted tit-for-tat tariff battle, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index rebounded, edging 3.16 points or 0.18% higher to close at 1,724.58, on Monday.

"The index is now hovering at the resistance zone, reaffirmed by presence of sellers in Friday's session as prices were pushed lower.

"Hence, we may potentially see prices congest sideways or experience a slight pullback from the resistance level this week. Nonetheless, the upward bias remains valid," it said.