KUALA LUMPUR (July 5): The FBM KLCI fell 0.51% at midday break today, dragged by losses including at Tenaga Nasional Bhd, as regional markets turned cautious.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 8.67 points to 1,678.81.

Losers led gainers by 330 to 222, while 528 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.52 billion shares, valued at RM774.42 million.

The decliners included Tenaga, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Negri Sembilan Oil Palms, Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

The actives included KNM Group Bhd, Green Packet Bhd, Iris Corp Bhd, Prestariang Bhd, Sumatec Resources Bhd, Orion IXL Bhd, Focus Dynamics Group Bhd and Ekovest Bhd.

The gainers included Yinson Holdings Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Manulife Holdings Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Hai-O Enterprise Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd and Rapid Synergy Bhd.

Most Southeast Asian stock markets traded sideways on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of key U.S. non-farm payroll data, while the Philippines rallied on rising hopes of a rate cut, according to Reuters.

Asian markets will adopt a wait-and-watch mode, with all eyes on the crucial U.S. non-farm payroll report, which investors will take as another signal on whether the U.S. Federal Reserve would cut rates, ING said in a note, Reuters said.

CIMB Retail Research said the FBM KLCI remained tepid yesterday, in the absence of fresh leads.

“The index formed a small doji candlestick yesterday, which indicates a further sideways consolidation today.

“Resistance: 1,700 & 1,707. Support: 1,682 & 1,671,” it said.