KUALA LUMPUR (March 21): The FBM KLCI notched up limited gains at mid-morning today, in line with the cautious regional markets.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was up 2.39 points to 1,858.78. The index had earlier risen to a high of 1,860.60.

Gainers led losers by 304 to 178, while 317 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 473.44 million shares valued at RM295.46 million.

The gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Focus Dynamics Bhd, Comintel Corp Bhd,Magni-Tech Industries Bhd and Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd.

The actives included Media Chinese International Bhd, Panpages Bhd, Nexgram Holdings Bhd, Shin Yang Shipping Corp Bhd, Iris Corp Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Comintel and HB Global Ltd.

The decliners included Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Ibraco Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Superlon Holdings Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, Maxis Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd.

A hush settled over financial markets on Wednesday as investors waited to hear how often the Federal Reserve might hike U.S. rates this year, while the currencies of exporting nations were rattled by fears of a full-blown trade war, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was barely changed after four straight days of losses. E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 were slightly softer, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research in a traders’ brief said in the US, the Dow may trend sideways between 24,500-2,6000 as investors will be waiting for the first news conference by Fed's Chair Jerome Powell after the two-day FOMC meeting to gauge the tone of the interest rate outlook in 2018.

“Also, the potential increase in regulations on internet platforms may put pressure on tech heavyweights over the near term.

“On the local front, traders are likely to stay sidelines on small cap and lower liners to focus on heavyweights ahead of the dissolution of parliament and GE14 and selected sector such as O&G could see improve trading interest on the back of the recovery in Brent crude oil,” it said.