KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): The main index of Bursa Malaysia remained in positive territory but hovered below the 1,500-point level as investors stayed cautious in line with the tepid region.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was up 5.49 points at 1,497.89.

Gainers led losers by 431 to 310, while 389 counters traded unchanged. Trading volume was 1.67 billion shares valued at RM973.12 million.

The top gainers included Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N), Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Supermax Corp Bhd, Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd, JF Technology Bhd and Comfort Gloves Bhd.

The actively traded stocks included Iris Corp Bhd, Diversified Gateway Solutions Bhd, AT Systematization Bhd, Lambo Group Bhd, Mah Sing Group Bhd, Key Alliance Group Bhd and Luster Industries Bhd.

The decliners included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK), Public Bank Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd and Pintaras Jaya Bhd.

Reuters said Asian investors prepared for rough trading today after a bumpy session on Wall Street amid fears that an agreement on a key US stimulus bill will not be reached until after the presidential election on Nov 3.

In early Asian trade, Australian stocks fell at the open, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets declined overnight amid uncertainty over the coronavirus stimulus talks.

It said that earlier, European stocks tumbled on worries over new infections.

“On the local market, the KLCI slid 18.57 points or 1.23% to 1,492.40 points on selldown of glove stocks.

“We expect the local benchmark to trend sideways today with the support level at 1,475 points as impacted by tepid market sentiment,” it said.