KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): The FBM KLCI fell 0.73% at the midday break today in line with the decline at most regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI lost 12.12 points to 1,650.34.

Losers outpaced gainers by 454 to 166, while 25 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 477.81 million shares valued at RM393.66 million.

The top losers included Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Genting Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Karex Bhd and DiGi.Com Bhd.

The actives included Tiger Synergy Bhd, APFT Bhd, Genetec Technology Bhd, XOX Bhd, Berjaya Corporation Bhd and Hubline Bhd.

The gainers included Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd, Time Dotcom Bhd, Apollo Food Holdings Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd and MISC Bhd.

Asian stocks dipped early on Wednesday amid growing concerns about the health of the global banking sector, particularly in Europe, while the safe-haven yen stood near a 15-month high versus the dollar, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.7 percent, it said.

BIMB Securities Research said Asian equities appeared wobbly yesterday, after US and European markets fell sharply overnight on concerns over slowing global growth and speculation over the Federal Reserve raising rates further in March.

Back home, it said the local bourse was closed for 2 days on Chinese New Year festival.

“The FBM KLCI closed flat on the last trading day before entering holidays, inched up by 5.69 points or 0.34% to 1,662.46 points as commodity prices and the ringgit held steady in a week.

“Nevertheless, we expect the market to remain uninspiring today due to lack of fresh catalyst amid the negative sentiment of global markets with the index to hover at around 1,650 - 1,660,” it said.