KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 19): The FBM KLCI remained lacklustre at the midday break and looked set to end the day on a tepid note despite paring down earlier losses as regional markets pulled back.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 3.37 points at 1,595.74. The index had earlier fallen to a low of 1,585.76.

Losers led gainers by 383 to 164, while 493 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.18 billion shares valued at RM821.73 million.

The top decliners included Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Inari Amertron Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd and Ajinomoto (M) Bhd.

The actives included Priceworth International Bhd, Inari, Ekovest Bhd, Yong Tai Bhd, FoundPac Group Bhd, DGB Asia Bhd and Tiger Synergy Bhd.

The gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares pulled back from a 1½-year peak on Thursday as investors booked profits ahead of holiday trade and awaited further data on the state of the global economy, according to Reuters.

Investors were also watching proceedings in Washington, where the Democrat-led US House of Representatives voted to impeach Republican US President Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI gained 22.16 points or 1.4%, to close at 1,599.11 on Wednesday.

It said the index surged higher, breaching above the 1,580-1,585 minor resistance in yesterday's trading session.

"The formation of the huge bullish candlestick yesterday indicates that the current buying momentum is strong, which is also backed by selected key technical indicators, pointing towards growing upward momentum.

"Year-end window dressing is in progress, particularly on index linked stocks. Anticipate price to retest the 1,615-1,620 immediate resistance level in the near term.

"Major downtrend remains. 'Window dressing' play likely to unfold in the near term," it said.