KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 22): The FBM KLCI lost 0.73% at the midday break today, tracking losses at regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 12.63 points to 1,718.05.

Losers led gainers by 475 to 151, while 484 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.57 billion shares valued at RM1.03 billion.

The top losers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd, PPB Group Bhd and Pharmaniaga Bhd.

The actives included Iskandar Waterfront City Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, AirAsia X Bhd, Dagang NeXchange Bhd, Tatt Giap Group Bhd and Ekovest Bhd.

The gainers included Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Manulife Holdings Bhd, Guan Chong Bhd, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Bhd and Metrod Holdings Bhd.

Shares in Asia slipped on Friday as a deteriorating global economic outlook outweighed further signs of progress in trade talks between China and the United States, according to Reuters.

After inching higher in early trade, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell into the red as more markets opened across the region, dipping 0.1%, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index fell slightly before clawing back losses in the second-half of yesterday's session, edging 4.5 points or 0.26% higher.

It said the index has been closing in the green for three consecutive days now as buyers remain in control.

"Currently, prices are just above the EMA200d (200-day exponential moving average). A strong push above the EMA200d would signify that bulls are back in control, hence investors can look for any buying opportunities.

"The index is now at the 1,725-1,745 resistance area. Note that prices may face potential selling in these zones," it said.