KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 7): The FBM KLCI remained lacklustre in the mid-morning, in line with softer pedalling regional markets, as a lack of fresh catalysts kept investors on tenterhooks.

At 10am, the KLCI had added 1.02 points to 1,516.88.

Gainers edged losers by 402 to 384, while 346 counters traded unchanged. Trading volume was 1.93 billion shares valued at RM773.45 million.

The top gainers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Ipmuda Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Scientex Bhd and Khind Holdings Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included JCY International Bhd, Fintec Global Bhd, Ekovest Bhd, Permaju Industries Bhd, Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd, Vortex Consolidated Bhd, Inix Technologies Holdings Bhd and XOX Bhd.

The decliners included Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Far East Corp Bhd, Supermax Corp Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Tong Herr Resources Bhd and Yinson Holdings Bhd.

Reuters said Asian shares started the day on the backfoot as investors grappled with sky-high valuations against a backdrop of a global economy in the grip of a deep coronavirus-induced recession while oil prices dropped sharply.

Japan's Nikkei was down 0.4% ahead of a heavy week of macroeconomic data with figures of household spending, current accounts and gross domestic product due tomorrow, it reported.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets declined last Friday despite lower unemployment as optimism from the economy reopening failed to cushion losses in technology counters.

It said that similarly, European stocks ended lower amid gains in banking stocks and losses in tech counters.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI erased intraday losses to climb 0.46 points to 1,515.86 points.

“Following the negative performances in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could retest its support at 1,510 points,” it said.