KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): The FBM KLCI lost 1.32% at the midday break today, as regional markets slid on the back of last Fridays’ weaker close at the US and most global markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 21.89 points to 1,647.56.

Market breadth turned negative with 471 losers and 206 gainers, while 240 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 903.11 million shares, valued at RM813.78 million.

The top losers included NCB Holdings Bhd, AMMB Holdings Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Genting Bhd, Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, Lii Hen Industries Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

The actives included AirAsia Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Aemulus Holdings Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, Ingenuity Consolidated Bhd, Sumatec Resources Bhd and Tiger Synergy Bhd.

The gainers included Batu Kawan Bhd, Pestech International Bhd, Computer Forms (Malaysia) Bhd, Gas Malaysia Bhd, Datasonic Group Bhd, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd and Signature International Bhd.

Asian shares tumbled on Monday, after the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates at record lows had raised fresh concerns about growth globally, particularly in China, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 2%, with Australia down 2.4% and South Korea off 1.7%. Japan was closed for a long holiday, it said.

AffinHwang Capital Research said global, as well as the local market, had turned cautious and was expected to consolidate sideways, with downward bias in the near term.

“US Federal Reserve delays the rate raises concerns on global growths, China slowdown and correction in the equity and commodity markets;
“On technical, current rebound lacked of follow through buying, confidence struggles to return,” it said.

(Note: The Edge Research's fundamental score reflects a company’s profitability and balance sheet strength, calculated based on historical numbers. The valuation score determines if a stock is attractively valued or not, also based on historical numbers. A score of 3 suggests strong fundamentals and attractive valuations.)