KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 23): The FBM KLCI was down 0.11% at mid-morning today to remain below the 1,600 level, weighed by select blue chips as sentiment stayed tepid.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI was down 1.73 points to 1,595.08.

Losers led gainers by 244 to 912, while 315 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 508.5 million shares valued at RM200.48 million.

The top decliners included Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd, KLCC Property Holdings Bhd, Scientex Bhd, G3 Global Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd.

The actives included Ikhmas Jaya Group Bhd, Scomi Energy Services Bhd, FGV Holdings Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, APFT Bhd and MNC Wireless Bhd.

The gainers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, IGB Bhd, Mega First Corp Bhd, FGV, Muda Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd and YNH Property Holdings Bhd.

Asian shares started higher on Monday on hopes of an interim Sino-US tariff deal after the two countries described their talks as "productive" and "constructive", while oil gained more than 1% as Middle East tensions remained elevated, according to Reuters.

Japan's Nikkei opened on a firm note, rising 0.2% while Australian shares added 0.5%. New Zealand's benchmark index was 0.1% higher. South Korea's Kospi was a touch weaker after disappointing trade data, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said with the negative performance on Wall Street last Friday, it expects trading tone on the market to remain tepid and the FBM KLCI may trend sideways.

"In the meantime, we expect traders to focus on selected few key themes in the market, namely (i) immigration-related, (ii) National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan.

"The FBM KLCI trading range likely to be seen around 1,580-1,620," it said.