KUALA LUMPUR (July 22): The FBM KLCI remained in negative zone at mid-morning today in line with the fall at regional markets as sentiment stayed weak.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI was down 3.95 points to 1,653.59.

The decliners included Nestle (M) Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Hwang Capital (Malaysia) Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Goldis Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, MISC Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd and DKSH Holdings (M) Bhd.

The actives included Sanichi Technology Bhd, Asia Media Group Bhd, EKA Noodles Bhd, KNM Group Bhd, Hiap Teck Venture Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, JAG Bhd and IFCA MSC Bhd.

The gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Shell Refining Company (Federation of Malaya) Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd.

Asian stocks dipped early on Friday after weak corporate results halted Wall Street's record run overnight, while the yen held to large gains made after the Bank of Japan's governor downplayed the need for "helicopter money" monetary policies, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.1 percent but is still headed for a 0.4 percent gain on the week. South Korea's Kospi lost 0.4 percent and Australian shares dropped 0.2 percent, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said following a breakdown below the 10-d and 200-d SMAs at 1660-1666 levels coupled with weakening technical indicators, the FBM KLCI may witness further profit taking consolidation as sentiment would continue to be dogged by the revival of 1MDB saga following news that the US Department of Justice and authorities from Singapore and Switzerland have moved to seize over assets linked to 1MDB.