KUALA LUMPUR (July 3): The FBM KLCI remained 0.34% down at midday break today, tracking weaker regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was down 5.66 points to 1,685.34.

Losers led gainers by 303 to 227, while 543 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.82 billion shares, valued at RM742.55 million.

The top losers included Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Chin Teck Plantations Bhd, Ayer Holdings Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd and Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd.

The actives included Sumatec Resources Bhd, KNM Group Bhd, Borneo Oil Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Barakah Offshore Petroleum Bhd, Daya Materials Bhd and Focus Dynamics Group Bhd.

The gainers included KESM Industries Bhd, Batu Kawan Bhd, Aeon  Credit Service (M) Bhd, Khind Bhd, Latitude Tree Holdings Bhd, Pos Malaysia Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd and DRB-Hicom Bhd.

Most Southeast Asian stock markets fell on Wednesday, as worries around slowing global growth mounted after the release of weak economic data from China, sending investors scurrying away from risky assets, according to Reuters.

Following the disappointing manufacturing data from within the region, a private survey showed growth in China's services sector slowed to a four-month low in June, as new orders from overseas customers fell, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index continue to post solid performance, gaining 7.38 points or 0.44% in yesterday’s session, closing at 1691.

“Despite the gain in the index, market breadth was slightly negative, with 440 gainers as compared to 450 losers. Actively-traded stocks: KNM Group Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd. Ekovest Bhd, Prestariang Bhd and Sapura Energy Bhd.

“Looking at price action, a new wave of uptrend is currently in progress, confirmed by prices breaking and closing above the recent high around 1683.

“Anticipate the index to move sideways with upward bias,” it said.