KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 20): The FBM KLCI remained flat at mid-morning today ahead of the tabling of Budget 2017 tomorrow as investor sentiment remains cautious.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was down 0.01 point to 1,668.26. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,668.82.

The top decliners included Khind Bhd, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd, Bison Consolidated Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Amway Holdings (M) Bhd, Genting Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

The actives included Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Priceworth International Bhd, Nexgram Holdings Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd and My E.G Services Bhd.

The gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd, Perusahaan Sadur Timah (Perstima) Malaysia Bhd and Batu Kawan Bhd.

Asian stocks advanced in early trading on Thursday, propelled by strong U.S. earnings and a jump in oil prices to a 15-month high on Wednesday, ahead of the third and final U.S. presidential debate before the Nov. 8 election, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent. Japan's Nikkei gained 0.3 percent, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that on the back of overnight gains in Wall St and a rally in oil price, the FBM KLCI may continue to rise further today but sees near term resistance levels at 1675, pending the outcome from the tabling of Budget 2017 tomorrow.