KUALA LUMPUR (March 11): The FBM KLCI fell 0.53% at the midday break today, dragged by losses including at select index-linked blue chips, tracking the struggling regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI lost 8.80 points to 1,671.10.

Losers led gainers by 377 to 218, while 497 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.41 billion shares valued at RM1.01 billion.

The top losers included KESM Industries Bhd, Amtek Holdings Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd, Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd, IFCA MSC Bhd, Econpile Holdings Bhd and Ekovest Bhd.

The gainers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Dayang, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd and Lafarge Malaysia Bhd.

Asian shares struggled for traction on Monday after US employment data raised doubts about the strength of the global economy, while investor jitters ahead of crucial Brexit votes in the UK parliament this week weighed on the pound, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was little changed from Friday's three-week low, with broad weakness offset by small gains in Chinese shares, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index resumed its fall, ending last week on a sour note.

It said the index fell 7.05 points or 0.42% on Friday, closing at 1,679.9.

"It was another week in the red with the index trading in a range of about 20 points between the high of 1,698.87 and low of 1,678.66

"Observe price action closely today as a breach below the 1,680 level may shift sentiments towards the downside. Anticipate the index to soften today in line with the fall in global markets.

"Pullback by the FBM KLCI Index currently in progress," it said.