KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24): The FBM KLCI fell 0.57% at the midday breakin line with the tumble at most regional markets after China called off the trade talks with US officials.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI lost 10.35 points to 1,800.29.

Losers led gainers by 465 to 216, while 1,219 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 800.46 million shares, valued at RM560.64 million.

Top losers included Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Time Dotcom Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

The actives included Sapura Energy Bhd, Priceworth International Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Pinehill Pacific Bhd, Lion Industries Bhd, Nova MSC Bhd, QES Group Bhd and My EG Services Bhd.

Gainers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Pinehill Pacific, Petronas Gas Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, YSP Southeast Asia Bhd and ViTrox Corp Bhd.

Asia shares stumbled in holiday-thinned trading on Monday, as China ramped up trade tensions by cancelling upcoming tariff talks with the United States, while oil prices jumped after top producers ruled out boosting crude output, according to Reuters.

U.S. stock futures were a touch weaker, while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.6%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was the worst performer, down 1.2%, Reuters said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index gained 6.94 points on Friday (Sept 21).

“Prices have been steadily inching higher the past week. Volume spiked up to 320 million on the last day of the week, as compared to 140 million on Thursday, which may indicate growing buying interest.

“The FBM KLCI Index may experience normal consolidation in the near-term,” the research house said.