KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 3): The FBM KLCI opened lower today in line with the slip at most regional markets, following the weaker overnight close at Wall Street.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI fell 4.78 points to 1,671.99.

The top losers included Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, RHB Capital Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Axiata Group Bhd.

Asian stocks slipped and the dollar advanced on Thursday after hawkish-sounding comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen further reinforced the case for an interest rate hike later this month, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.2%, taking an early lead from Wall Street. The Dow shed 0.9% and the S&P 500 lost 1.1% overnight on Yellen's comments and falling crude prices that hit energy shares, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets tumbled after oil price dropped below US$40 per barrel and weak manufacturing data.

Meanwhile, it said European equities were mixed amid weak inflation data in the region and the possibility of further stimulus to be announced by European Central Bank later today.

"On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 5.6 points to 1,676.77 points.

"Following the lacklustre performance in Wall Street, we expect the KLCI to remain pressured with support at 1,645 points," 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.)