KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 18): The FBM KLCI pared some of its losses at mid-morning today as regional markets advanced.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI shed 1.95 points to 1,692.37. The index had earlier fallen to a low of 1,690.44.

The decliners included United U-Li Corp Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment (M) Bhd, SLP Resources Bhd, SCGM Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Amway (M) Holdings Bhd, Hume Industries Bhd, George Kent (Malaysia) Bhd, Tasek Corp Bhd and PPB Group Bhd.

The actives included AirAsia X Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Vivocom Intl Holdings Bhd, Destini Bhd, Dagang NeXchange Bhd and Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd.

The gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd and AirAsia Bhd.

Asian stocks edged up early on Thursday and the dollar fell after the Federal Reserve's latest meeting minutes showed policymakers were in no hurry to add to US borrowing costs, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2%, thanks to hopes that the Fed's accommodative stance — a major liquidity spigot for global markets — would continue a little longer than expected, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said it expects the FBM KLCI to engage in a mild consolidation amid toppish FBM KLCI daily and weekly slow stochastic indicators.

"Sentiment may turn more cautious as we embrace a flurry of big caps results in the next two weeks during the August reporting season.

"Key resistances are 1,700–1,716 while supports fall on 1,675–1,684 levels," it said.