KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24): The FBM KLCI edged up marginally in early trade this morning, lifted by select blue chips.

At 9.10am, the FBM KLCI added 0.29 points to 1,671.60.

The early gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Amtel Bhd, Stone Master Corp Bhd, Paramount Corp Bhd, DiGi.Com Bhd, Hua Yang Bhd, Maxis Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment Bhd and CB Industrial Product Bhd.

The dollar was under pressure in Asia on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump's focus on trade protectionism fuelled suspicions his administration might seek a competitive advantage through a weaker currency, according to Reuters.

The talk of trade wars favoured safe-haven Treasuries and the Japanese yen while leaving equities mixed, it said.

JF Apex Securities Research in a market preview today said US markets were lower overnight after President Donald Trump took office and investors wait for more details on his policies.

It said that similarly, European stocks declined on Trump's protectionist stance.

“On the local market, the FBM KLCI gained 6.42 points to 1671.31 points.

“Following the decline in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI could hover below the resistance of 1680 points,” it said.