KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): The FBM KLCI opened lower today,weighed by select blue blue chip stocks including index-linked plantation counters.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI shed 2.08 points to 1,641.18.

The early decliners included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd, Genting Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, IOI Corporation Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Top Glove Corporation Bhd and Brahim’s Holdings Bhd.

Asia shares edged higher on Wednesday following a modest bounce on Wall Street, while the dollar drifted lower and the slump in oil prices paused if only for a day,  according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan ticked up 0.2 percent to the highest in almost two weeks. Australia's main index added 0.75 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said the Dow Jones industrial average closed up about 166 points or 0.96% after earlier gaining nearly 200 points in afternoon trade underpinned by oil price recovery and third quarter GDP with an annualised rate of 2% which slightly came above expectations.

Meanwhile, it said European shares closed mixed with rallies on mining stocks with expectations on China’s easing policy.

“The local bourse gained 14.17 points or 0.87% yesterday to end at 1643.26 points lifted by bargain hunting activities.

“The local benchmark index is expected to take a breather and consolidate below the resistance level of 1670 points but above our immediate support of 1620 points,” it said.