KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 28): The FBM KLCI dipped 0.14% at midday today, dragged by losses including at Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd and Genting Bhd.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 2.32 points to 1,698.71.

Losers led gainers by 392 to 268, while 355 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.2 billion shares valued at RM755.85 million.

The top losers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Hartalega, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Rapid Synergy Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd, Press Metal, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Top Glove and Genting.

The actives included Sapura Energy Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, JAG Bhd, Malayan Flour Mills Bhd, Tiger Synergy Bhd, George Kent (M) Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd and Bina Puri Holdings Bhd.

The gainers included Suiwah Corp Bhd, Chin Teck Plantations Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd and Petronas Dagangan Bhd.

Asian stocks advanced on Monday as Wall Street rallied after a deal was announced to reopen the US government following a prolonged shutdown that had taken a toll on investor sentiment, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan climbed 0.4%, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index gained 7.44 points or 0.44% on Friday to end last week on a green note.

The research firm said the index closed at 1,701.03, slightly above the 1,700 psychological level once again.

"If the buying momentum is carried through to this week, anticipate the index to retest the 1,725 resistance level.

"Positive sentiments surrounding the global scene currently may also be another added positive catalysts which may help push our local market higher this week," it said.