KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): The FBM KLCI remained in negative zone at mid-morning today in line with lacklustre regional markets, dragged by losses including at Petronas-linked stocks.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was down 2.77 points to 1,559.94.

Losers led gainers by 255 to 229, while 305 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 771.94 million shares valued at RM289.53 million.

The top losers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Master-Pack Group Bhd, Public Bank Bhd and Ajinomoto (M) Bhd.

The actives included TDM Bhd, JAKS Resources Bhd, Sanichi Technology Bhd, FGV Holdings Bhd and Alam Maritim Resources Bhd.

The gainers included Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, United Plantations Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, QL Resources Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd and Malayan Cement Bhd.

Reuters said Asian equity markets were a tad lower on Tuesday as investors refrained from making major bets before Dec 15, when the next round of US tariffs on Chinese imports is due to take effect.

A Chinese Commerce Ministry official said on Monday that Beijing hopes to make a trade deal with Washington as soon as possible before new US tariffs are due to kick in this weekend, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said as the date moves nearer towards further tariffs to be implemented by Dec 15 on US$156 billion Chinese goods, market participants will be trading on a cautious tone without any fresh positive developments on the phase one trade deal.

"Hence, with the Dow trading around the all-time high region, any negative developments on this major event could drag the trading tone and we may anticipate profit-taking activities to pick up and support is located around 27,400.

"Despite some profit taking seen amongst the broader market, we believe the window dressing could still lift the FBM KLCI higher at end-December; hence traders could focus on selected high beta stocks (i.e. Sime Darby Plantation Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd) for trading opportunities.

"Meanwhile, we also noticed that plantation, steel-related and technology stocks remain top trading sector[s] for the near term given the pick-up in volumes," it said.