KUALA LUMPUR (May 19): The FBM KLCI edged up this morning but struggled to breach the 1,770–point level underpinned by the mixed regional markets.

At 10.04am, the FBM KLCI rose 2.70 points to 1,769.87. The index had earlier risen to 1,770.03.

The top gainers included Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Pentamaster Corporation Bhd and ViTrox Corporation Bhd.

The actives included NetX Holdings Bhd, My E.G. Service Bhd, JCY International Bhd, Aemulus Holdings Bhd, Anzo Holdings Bhd, XOX Bhd, Land & General Bhd and Priceworth International Bhd.

The decliners included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Lafarge Malaysia Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Tasek Corp Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd and HCK Capital Group Bhd.

Asian stocks were mixed early on Friday and the dollar held onto overnight gains made on strong economic data, but investors were cautious due to uncertainties surrounding President Donald Trump after reports he tried to influence a federal investigation, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2 percent, on track for a weekly loss of 0.5 percent, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that in the US, we expect buying interest to stay soft over the near term amid on-going investigation on Trump's political issue may dampen the confidence on the execution of Trump's economic policies.

“The Dow may hover below the resistance of 20,777.

“However, following the mild recovery in the overseas markets, we opine that buying activities may emerge on Bursa Malaysia.

“We think trading interest is likely to be driven by the on-going results reporting season,” it said.