KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The FBM KLCI pared some of its losses at mid-morning today, as regional markets firmed up.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI dipped 1.83 points to 1,762.20. The index had earlier fallen to a low of 1,760.26.

Losers and gainers were tied at 226 each, while 319 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 800.80 million shares valued at RM244.91 million.

The top losers included Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Ibraco Bhd, SAM Engineering & Equipment (M) Bhd, DKLS Industries Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Multi-Usage Holdings Bhd, Sinmah Capital Bhd, Mulpha International Bhd and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

The actives included M3 Technologies Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Hubline Bhd, Vivocom Intl Holdings Bhd, Sterling Progress Bhd and Mlabs Systems Bhd.

The gainers included Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Mercury Industries Bhd, Lii Hen Industries Bhd, Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd, Econpile Holdings Bhd and PPB Group Bhd.

Asian shares gained on Tuesday, shrugging off modest losses on Wall Street while expectations of a US interest rate increase this year continued to underpin the US dollar, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.4% in early trading, it said.

Kenanga IB Research said Asian markets kicked off the week on a positive footing following a strong week on Wall Street and as Chinese trading resumed after a holiday.

It said on the local bourse, the FBM KLCI eked out a marginal gain of 0.03 point (0.0%) at 1,764.03 yesterday.

The research house said broad market sentiment was stronger with 430 gainers, against 401 losers and 416 counters which traded unchanged.

"For the day, the FBM KLCI traded within a tight 3-point range, before forming a 'Doji' candlestick on low trading volume for the day. This indicates that investors were indecisive and instead adopted a wait-and-see (strategy) following the strong performance on Friday.

"Despite the momentum indicators remaining in a negative state, the FBM KLCI's overall technical picture is supportive of a near-term move to the upside.

"From here, we see the potential for a move to 1,783 (R1) before encountering a stronger level of resistances. The next resistance is located at 1,796 (R2), while downside support levels are 1,755 (S1) and 1,750 (S2)," it said.