KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): The FBM KLCI pared some of its gains at mid-morning as regional markets paused for a breather.

At 10.02am, the FBM KLCI was up 4.99 points to 1,761.04. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,765.94.

The top gainers included Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Time dotCom Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd and APM Automotive Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Dagang NeXchange Bhd, Key Alliance Group Bhd, Iris Corp Bhd, Luster Industries Bhd, Priceworth International Bhd, Naim Indah Corp Bhd and Green Packet Bhd.

The losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd, Genting Malaysia Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd, Lafarge Malaysia Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd.

Asian equities were steady on Tuesday and the euro retained gains as markets' euphoria over a centrist victory in the first round of the French presidential election subsided, though near-term investor sentiment remains positive, according to Reuters.

The risk rally has kept safe-haven assets, including the yen and gold, under pressure, while the Canadian dollar fell after the US announced new duties averaging 20% on Canadian softwood lumber imports. The Canadian currency tumbled to a four-month low as the US dollar strengthened 0.35% to C$1.3543, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said investors continue to gear up after part of the uncertain EU factors is taken out for the time being, and it expects buying interest to persist over the near term.

"Also, investors may stay bullish as they might focus the tax reform plans that could be unveiled soon after comments from US Treasury Secretary resurfaced last week.

"However, should there be any geopolitical tension heightened over this week, it may cause market wariness and the FBM KLCI may pullback towards 1,740," it said.