KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 30): The FBM KLCI ticked up in early trade, lifted by select blue chips against the backdrop of lacklustre regional markets, but gains were seen limited.

At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI was up 0.81 points to 1,584.95.

The early gainers included Spritzer Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Teck Guan Perdana Bhd, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd, Solid Automotive Bhd and MISC Bhd.

Asian shares and the Chinese yuan were off to a cautious start on Monday as investors looked to how Chinese financial markets will react to the news the U.S. administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.11% while Japan's Nikkei shed 0.61%. U.S. stock futures gained 0.24% in early trade, paring back almost a half of Friday's 0.53% fall in the index, it said.

CGS-Retail Research said the local bourse closed 13.27 points lower week-on-week as investor sentiment stayed tepid as Malaysia was retained on its fixed-income watch list for a potential downgrade by the index provider FTSE Russell.

It said Wall Street closed lower last Friday after the White House is thought to be considering limits on US investment into China, escalating the protracted trade war between US and China.

“The local benchmark, the FBMKLCI has been trading sideways for the past month or so and last week was no different.

“The index is still stuck in a range between 1,580 and 1,620. Until a breakout of either side, one can expect more see-saw movements in the days ahead. Resistance: 1,620 & 1,640. Support: 1,580 & 1,572,” it said.