KUALA LUMPUR (June 19): The FBM KLCI retreated at mid-morning today on signs of some mild profit taking despite modestly high regional markets.

At 9.59am, the FBM KLCI slipped 1.03 points to 1,790.28. The index had earlier risen to 1,793.39.

The top losers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, Tasek Corp Bhd, UMS Holdings Bhd, Ann Joo Resources Bhd and Top Glove Corp Bhd.

The actives included NetX Holdings Bhd, Nexgram Holdings Bhd, Pasukhas Group Bhd, Vivocom Intl Holdings Bhd, Ancom Bhd, Priceworth International Bhd and Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd.

The gainers included Time dotCom Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Southern Acids (M) Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, SCGM Bhd, LTKM Bhd and Ancom.

Asian stocks began the week modestly higher on Monday after Wall Street offered little guidance, while sterling and the euro steadied before the start of talks over the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.2% in early trading, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research in a traders' brief today said with the Federal Reserve increasing the interest rates for the second time for this year, it expects the US dollar to gain momentum over the near term, which may contribute to higher trading interest among banking or financial heavyweights and the Dow may trend higher towards the next resistance of 21,500.

"Also, energy shares could be due for a technical rebound amid the stabilising Brent crude oil price.

"However, on the local front, we expect investors' mood to stay lacklustre as most of the stocks within the tech sector were under pressure in US.

"Nevertheless, trading interest may still be positive under the selected metal and steel-related stocks on the back of laggards play," it said.