KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 2): Index-linked plantation stocks weighed on the FBM KLCI at the midday break today, dragging the local index 0.66% in line with the fall at most regional markets.

At 12:30pm, the benchmark FBM KLCI lost 11 points to 1,656.80.

Market breadth also turned negative with losers outpacing gainers by 400 to 294, while 297 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 851.59 million shares valued at RM956.54 million.

The top losers included Genting Plantations Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, Genting Bhd, Panasonic Malaysia Manufacturing Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, BIMB Holdings Bhd, IOI Corporation Bhd, Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd and MISC Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included APFT Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, Compugates Holdings Bhd, XOX Bhd, Berjaya Corporation Bhd, Top Glove Corporation Bhd and AirAsia Bhd.

The gainers included DanaInfra Nasional Bhd, Lay Hong Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Top Glove, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd and Scientex Bhd.

Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell in line with Asia on Tuesday, with shares in Singapore extending slides ahead of January factory activity data, while weak oil prices dented sentiment in the region, according to Reuters.

Singapore's key Straits Times Index was down 0.5%, after closing over 1% lower on Monday and further coming off the high hit on Friday. DBS Group Holdings, the most actively traded stock, dropped 1.6%, it said.

AffinHwang Capital Research said uncertainties remain despite strong month end closing.

It said that this week stocks in Bursa Malaysia were anticipated to firm up with a slight upward bias.

"Concerns over China's slowdown, global growth prospect and sliding commodity prices remain.

"Fresh concerns emerged on the possible massive write downs, bond/loans defaults as a result of current plunge in commodity prices.

"Technically, both short- and medium-term trends remain downwards," it said.