KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): The FBM KLCI remained in positive territory at mid-morning today, lifted by select blue chips.

At 10.03am, the FBM KLCI was up 3.61 points to 1,662.45.

The top gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, MISC Bhd, Only World Group Holdings Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd.

Newly listed Matang Bhd was the most actively traded stock. The other actives included Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Vivocom Intl Holdings Bhd, RGB International Bhd, IFCA MSC Bhd and PUC Founder MSC (M) Bhd.

The decliners included Petronas Gas Bhd, Danainfra Nasional Bhd, Genting Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Petronas Dagangan  Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd and Enra Group Bhd.

Asian stocks and the pound sagged on Tuesday ahead of a speech by British Prime Minister Theresa May that could have implications for broader risk sentiment, according to Reuters.

Media have reported that May, due to speak later on Tuesday, will lay out plan to exit the European Union that would see Britain lose access to the bloc's single market, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said Wall Street is likely to trend sideways on the back of Brexit issues, Trump's inauguration and the earnings results this week.

It said the Dow's upside might be limited around the 20,000 level, with a support located around the 19,700 level.

It said if the Dow violates below the 19,700 level, further correction phase might emerge towards 19,300-19,400.

“With on-going uncertainties continue to linger in the stock markets; we expect sentiments to stay in a cautious mode on the local front.

“Traders are likely to lock in further profits ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president on the 20th of January.

“Also, based on the technical indicators, the FBM KLCI could trade lower towards the 1,640-1,650 levels over the near term,” it said.