KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): The FBM KLCI slipped below the crucial psychological level of 1,800-points in early trade today as key blue chips retreated in line with the lower regional markets.

At 9.03am, the FBM KLCI lost 5.66 points to 1,799.83.

The top losers included PPB Group Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Oriental Food Industries Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Public Bank Bhd and MISC Bhd.

Asian stocks edged lower and the euro sagged on Tuesday as insufficient progress on talks between debt-strapped Greece and its creditors kept investors on edge, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.1 percent. Japan's Nikkei lost 0.3 percent and South Korea's Kospi dipped 0.1 percent, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets declined overnight as investors expect bond yields to rise and anticipate some economic announcement this week such as retail sales and industrial production.

Similarly,it said European stocks also dropped, led by France as Airbus shares lost 3% after one of its military planes crashed during test flight.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI lost 2.16 points to 1805.49 points to buck the regional trend.

“Following the lackluster performance in the US, we expect the KLCI to move sideways above the psychological level of 1800 points,” it said.