KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 20): The FBM KLCI looked set to end the week in musted style after it dipped in early trade, tracking subdued regional markets.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI shed 0.59 points to 1,595.42.

The early decliners included Nestle (M) Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, QL Resources Bhd, MyNews Holdings Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd and Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd.

Bloomberg reported that Asian stocks opened in subdued fashion Friday following another record high on Wall Street, while sovereign bond yields retained this week’s modest gains.

The dollar and Treasuries were little changed, while the U.S. yield curve remains at its steepest in more than a year -- underlining the impression of receding recession risks. Japanese stocks opened little changed, Australian shares dipped and South Korean ones edged up in early trading. U.S. futures were little changed after benchmarks climbed Thursday, with investors shrugging off the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Oil slipped after recent gains, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets rose to all-time highs overnight despite concern on President Trump's impeachment while jobless claims declined less than expected.

It said that earlier, European stocks ended mixed after interest rate decisions by central banks of England and Sweden.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 3.10 points to 1596.01 points.

“Following the mixed performances in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could remain sideways below the resistance of 1,610 points,” it said.