KUALA LUMPUR (June 24): The FBM KLCI fell 0.38% at the midday break as investor sentiment remained subdued in line with regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI lost 6.38 points to 1,675.85.

Losers led gainers by 350 to 172, while 467 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 918.34 million shares valued at RM657.82 million.

The top losers included Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, TIME dotCom Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, Gamuda Bhd, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Magni-Tech Industries Bhd, United Plantations Bhd and Ajinomoto (M) Bhd.

The actives included Sapura Energy Bhd, Pegasus Heights Bhd, Lambo Group Bhd, Ekovest Bhd, Gamuda and Land & General Bhd.

The gainers included Lingkaran Trans Kota Holdings Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, LPI Capital Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd, Pharmaniaga Bhd, Yinson Holdings Bhd, Negri Sembilan Oil Palms Bhd and Apex Healthcare Bhd.

Most Southeast Asian stock markets were subdued on Monday as investors awaited economic data from Singapore and Indonesia and further developments in the Sino-US trade talks, while US-Iran tensions also weighed on the sentiment, according to Reuters.

Stock markets in the region saw lacklustre trade, also ahead of an expected meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan this week, scouring for signs of a thaw in a prolonged and damaging trade war, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index ended last week on a positive note, gaining 6.8 points or 0.41% on Friday, closing at 1,682.23.

"From the 100-day EMA (exponential moving average) where the market faced resistance, prices have staged a temporary pullback all the way towards a level just above the 20- & 50-day EMA. This area has acted as a point of support as the index rebounded higher strongly.

"Looking at the daily chart, note that the EMA20d (shorter-period) has now successfully crossed above the EMA50d (longer-period). Hence, the short-term outlook can now be perceived to be bias more towards the bullish side.

"Technical relief rebound in progress," it said.