KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): The FBM KLCI slipped in early trade today in line with the general weakness at most regional markets.

At 9am, the FBM KLCI fell 2.19 points to 1,686.35.

The top losers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Time Dotcom Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, KKB Engineering Bdh, IJM Plantations Bhd, DKSH (M) Holdings Bhd, Keck Seng (Malaysia) Bhd, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, YSP Southeast Asia Bhd, Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd, Caring Group Bhd and Latitude Tree Holdings Bdh.

Asian shares slipped on Friday, ahead of key U.S. employment data later in the session that was expected to add to the case for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike as early as next month, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged down about 0.1 percent, though it remained on track for a 1 percent weekly rise, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets ended slightly lower overnight due to concerns on tonight's employment data that could determine the timing of interest rate hike.

Meanwhile, it said European equities were mixed after Bank of England kept interest rate unchanged.

“On the local bourse, the FBM KLCI added 2.92 points to 1688.54 points.

“Following a mixed performance in the US and Europe, we expect the FBM KLCI to remain sideways below 1700 points,” it said.