KUALA LUMPUR (June 30): The FBM KLCI rose in early trade in line with the slight rebound at regional markets, lifted by select blue chips while newly-listed Xin Hwa Holdings Bhd made an impressive start on the bourse.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI rose 3.44 points to 1,695.36.

The top gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Genting Plantations Bhd, Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd and Malayan Banking Bhd.

Newly-listed Xin Hwa Holdings made an impressive debut and was up some 12%.

Asian shares edged up and the euro sagged in early Asian trading on Tuesday as Greece lurched toward defaulting on a looming debt payment, raising the likelihood of the cash-strapped nation's exit from the euro zone.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.1 percent, while Japan's Nikkei stock index added 0.2 percent.

US markets tumbled with the Dow and S&P erasing gains for the year as Greece approaches default. Similarly, European equities plunged on fears of Grexit and its capital control imposed.

On the local market, the FBM KLCI plummeted 18.55 points to 1691.92 points. After breaking the support of 1700 points, the next support is seen at 1665 points. Further slowdown is expected unless a last minute deal between Greece and its creditors is agreed.