KUALA LUMPUR (April 29): The FBM KLCI got off to a lacklustre start today and is expected to trade sideways in line with the pause at most regional markets.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI was up 0.04 points to 1,855.10.

The early gainers included United Plantations Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Britsh American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Genting Bhd, AMMB Holdings Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

Asian share markets paused near seven-year peaks on Wednesday while investors exited crowded positions in the U.S. dollar as the Federal Reserve wraps up a two-day policy meeting, according to Reuters.

The broad retreat in the U.S. currency came as a string of soft data seemed to push back the day when the Fed might start lifting rates, and defied a jump in Treasury yields, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets ended mixed due to uncertainty ahead of Federal Reserve's statement later today after its 2-day FOMC meeting ends.

Meanwhile, it said European stocks declined as investors took profit from the recent rally.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 4.52 points to 1855.06 points to extend its sell down after Friday's surge.

“The index is expected to trend sideways with a negative bias after failing to break the resistance of 1865 points,” it said.