KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): The FBM KLCI reversed its earlier losses and chalked up limited gains at mid-morning today, in line with the muted regional markets.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI added 3.85 points to 1,675.13.

Losers led gainers by 259 to 241, while 291 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 698.15 million shares valued at RM344.19 million.

The gainers included Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, Public Bank Bhd, Amway (M) Holdings Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Lysaght Galvanized Steel Bhd and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Perdana Petroleum Bhd, Velesto Energy Bhd, Prestariang Bhd, JCY International Bhd, Gadang Holdings Bhd, My EG Services Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, Seacera Group Bhd and Dayang Enterprise Holdings Bhd.

The losers included KESM Industries Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, ViTrox Corp Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd and Ajinomoto (M) Bhd.

Asian share markets got off to a subdued start on Wednesday after a mixed finish on Wall Street, while a frazzled pound awaited its fate ahead of yet another make-or-break parliamentary vote on Brexit, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan eased 0.1% in slow trade. Japan's Nikkei dipped 0.3% and Australia's main index slipped 0.4%, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said investors will be anticipating highly on the trade agreement to be struck over the near term, where US President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping will be meeting face to face in order to iron out the trade details by next month (initially set in late March) as a prolonged delay will only set a cloudy tone on the trade front.

"Nevertheless, Wall Street's consolidation is likely to prevail to recalibrate the overly optimistic expectations following the recent poor economic data from the US, China and the Eurozone.

"The overnight positive sentiment by S&P and Nasdaq for the 2nd day and recovery in oil prices should bode well for KLCI to advance further from the oversold positions.

"However, we see stiff resistances at 1,692-1,707, given Malaysia's weak corporate earnings, rich market valuations (vs. regional peers) and worries of a possible global economic slowdown after key data in the US, China and Eurozone missed expectations.

"Meanwhile, traders may look into construction, water, building materials and O&G stocks on the back of the potential revival of ECRL and firmer crude oil prices," it said.