KUALA LUMPUR (March 23): The FBM KLCI pared some of its losses at mid-morning today, as select blue chips advanced.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI was down 0.78 points to 1,723.97. The index had earlier dipped to a low of 1,720.14.

The top losers included Panasonic Malaysia Manufacturing Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, P.I.E. Industrial Bhd, Press Metal Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Scientex Bhd and Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd.

The actives included Sanichi Technology Bhd, Anzo Holdings Bhd, AirAsia Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Kanger International Bhd and Vivocom International Holdings Bhd.

The gainers included Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Pestech International Bhd, Hong Leong Industrial Bhd, MMC Corporation Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares consolidated their gains on Wednesday, shaking off earlier losses following attacks on the airport and a rush-hour metro train in Brussels as investors look to a brightening global economic picture, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2 percent but clung near 3 1/2-month high hit earlier this week while Japan's Nikkei inched up 0.1 percent, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that following a decisive downtrend line breakout above 1,700 psychological barrier last week, the FBM KLCI is expected to retest the upper end of its short term uptrend channel resistance at 1727 (19 Oct 2015 high) and 1744 (3 Aug 2015 high) territory amid dovish stance by global central banks, soaring crude oil and CPO prices, and expectation of further strengthening ringgit.

“Weekly supports are 1,689-1,700,” it said.