KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 11): The FBM KLCI fell 0.75% at the midday break in line with the slump at regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI lost 12.48 points to 1,645.13.

Losers led gainers by 556 to 274 for a ratio of 0.49, indicating the bears were in control. Meanwhile, 273 counters traded uchanged. Volume was 1.00 billion shares valued at RM757.82 million.

The top losers included Petronas Gas Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Danainfra Nasional Bhd, Panasonic Malaysia Manufacturing Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, DKSH (M) Holdings Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd.

The actives included AWC Bhd, DPS Resources Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, Instacom Group Bhd, My E.G, Services Bhd, APFT Bhd and PUC Founder Bhd.

The top gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Latitude Tree Holdings Bhd, Keck Seng (Malaysia) Bhd, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd,m Asia File Corporation Bhd and Danainfra Nasional Bhd.

Asian share markets swept lower Monday after Wall Street suffered its worst starting week in history and doubts over Beijing's economic competence sent investors into the arms of the safe-haven yen and sovereign bonds, according to Reuters.

The absence of Tokyo for a holiday only made liquidity even harder to come by, heightening volatility. Currency markets saw some wild swings with the South African rand collapsing to record lows at one point before bouncing, it said.

AffinHwang Capital Research said bearish sentiments from China’s sell-offs, Yuan devaluation and tension in the middle east may drag our local market lower.

“Weak ringgit, sliding oil price and continuous strengths of US dollar pose negative catalysts for local market.

“The FBM KLCI continues to consolidate mainly due to external factors,” it said.