KUALA LUMPUR (March 20): The FBM KLCI sustained its momentum and rose 0.42% at mid-morning today.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI rose 7.38 points to 1,752.58.

The top gainers included KESM Industries Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Dataprep Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Pos Malaysia Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd and Tasco Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Dataprep, PUC Founder (MSC) Bhd, MQ Technology Bhd, EA Holdings Bhd, D.B.E. Gurney Bhd, Netx Holdings Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd and Nexgram Holdings Bhd.

The top losers included Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Malton Bhd, KLCC Property Holdings Bhd, Yen Global Bhd, Sunway Bhd and Genting Bhd.

Asian stocks were slightly weaker early on Monday, following Wall Street's declines and the G20's decision to drop a pledge to avoid trade protectionism, while the Federal Reserve's seemingly dovish stance last week continued to drag the dollar lower, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was fractionally lower. Japan is closed for a holiday, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that as investors digested the interest rates hike move by the Fed, next investment focus would be on European elections, coupled with U.S. reporting season during April.

“Both the factors may trigger some wariness in the stock markets, which the Dow may trade between the 20,000-21,000 levels over the near term.

“Meanwhile, with the overheated trading in local bourse, we opine that the investors may lock in some profits after a strong rally last week on the FBM KLCI and FBM Small Cap indices,” it said.