KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3): The FBM KLCI hovered below the crucial 1,800-point level at mid-morning today, tracking the mixed regional markets.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was up 0.92 points to 1,799.07.

Gainers led losers by 231 to 200, while 333 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 496.4 million shares valued at RM304.68 million.

The gainers included Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, KESM Industries Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd, Kelington Group Bhd, UEM Edgenta Bhd, QL Resources Bhd and Pos Malaysia Bhd.

The actives included K-Star Sports Ltd, Fitters Diversified Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Key ASIC Bhd, Nova MSC Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd and Reach Energy Bhd.

The decliners included Nestle (M) Bhd, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Padini Holdings Bhd, PLB Engineering Bhd, Genetec Technology Bhd, Oversea Enterprise Bhd and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares ticked lower on Wednesday and the euro held at six-week lows as Italy's mounting debt and Rome's budget plan set it on a collision course with the European Union, according to Reuters.

Japan's Nikkei eased 0.1% on a stronger yen while South Korea's KOSPI index slipped 1.3%. Australian shares were a touch firmer while New Zealand's benchmark index fell 0.3%, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research in a traders' brief said in the US, despite the positive development on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement over the weekend, sentiments were affected by the growing fears over political instability in Italy (third largest EU member) as well as the uncertain outlook on US-China deal; traders may look for stability in stock markets such as blue chips and high dividend yield stocks within the utility sector.

"On the back of the escalating worries over the trade developments between US and China, coupled with the sideways move on Wall Street, it is likely for traders to lock in profits at least for the near term.

"Nevertheless, we expect trading interest to sustain within oil and gas stocks as Brent crude oil is hovering near the US$85 level," it said.