KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 19): The FBM KLCI pared some of its gains at mid-morning today and slipped below the 1,660-point level in line with the cautious regional markets.

At 10.02am, the FBM KLCI was up 3.10 points to 1,656.09. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,661.87.

Gainers included Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Pos Malaysia Bhd, Magni-Th Industries Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, IQ Group Bhd and DKSH Holdings (M) Bhd.

The actives included LB Aluminum Bhd, Hiap Teck Venture Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Eversendai Corp Bhd, Perisai Petroleum Teknologi Bhd and Vivocom Intl Holdings Bhd.

The decliners included Time Dotcom Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Genting Plantations  Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Aeon Co (M) Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd and LPI Capital Bhd.

Caution gripped Asian shares on Monday ahead of central bank meetings in the United States and Japan this week, while oil prices bounced on talk of an OPEC deal on output and reports of fighting around Libyan oil ports, according to Reuters.

Bombings in New York City and New Jersey and a stabbing at a Minnesota shopping mall added to a general air of risk aversion, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that mirroring last week’s pattern, it expects selling pressures on Bursa Malaysia to prevail as investors await further clues from key central banks review.

“Meanwhile, sentiment will remain cautious amid sliding oil prices, weakening ringgit and uncertainty ahead of the 8 Nov US presidential election,” it said.