KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): The FBM KLCI fell 0.32% in early trade this morning, dragged by losses including at Malayan banking Bhd (Maybank), Public Bank Bhd and Petronas-linked stocks.

At 9.10am, the FBM KLCI  fell 5.09 points to 1,615.81.

The top losers included PPB Group Bhd, Maybank, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Lafarge Malaysia Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd and Ann Joo Resources Bhd.

Asian shares were subdued on Thursday after a negative performance on Wall Street, with caution ahead of business surveys in Europe and Japan, and the Good Friday and Easter holidays keeping investors on the sidelines, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan inched up 0.08 percent, trading just below its highest since late July 2018 brushed on Wednesday, it said.

Kenanga IB Research said Asian stock markets continue to rally following the release of strong economic numbers from China.

It said bucking the trend, the FBMKLCI fell 8.56 points (-0.53%) to close at 1,620.90.

“While overall technical outlook still appears bearish, we believe that it may not persist as the stochastic indicator has been in the oversold zone for quite some time.

“Should a rebound happen, we look towards 1,660 (R1) and 1,700 (R2) as resistance levels. Conversely, downside supports can be found at 1,615 (S1) and 1,600 (S2),” it said.