KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): The FBM KLCI kicked off the month of December on a mute note and trended lower in early trade, weighed by losses at select blue chips.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI shed 1.87 points to 1,670.29.

The early decliners included Petronas Gas Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Asia File Corporation Bhd, Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares edged up on Tuesday, as investors awaited Chinese factory surveys later in the session amid persistent concerns about cooling growth in the world's second-biggest economy, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.3 percent in early trading, while Japan's Nikkei added 0.5 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets ended lower on the last day of November after pending home sales and Chicago's PMI came below expectation.

Meanwhile, it said European stocks closed mixed amid higher oil price and anticipation of stimulus when European Central Bank meets on Thursday.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI closed 10.43 points lower at 1672.16 points after recovering from an intraday low of 1663.03 points.

“Following the lackluster performance in the US and Europe, we expect the KLCI to remain pressured and subdued with support at 1645 points,” it said.