KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 23): The FBM KLCI stayed below the 1,600-point level at the midday break today, tracking the slip at regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI dropped 4.08 points to 1,593.33.

Losers led gainers by 342 to 184, while 510 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.06 billion shares valued at RM565.97 million.

The decliners included Rapid Synergy Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd, Scientex Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd.

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

The gainers included Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Ajinomoto (M) Bhd, Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd, Mega First Corp Bhd, Genting Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, IGB Bhd and Westports Holdings Bhd.

Most Asian share markets slipped on Monday as investors waited for more clarity on the Sino-US trade talks after recent negotiations, while oil gained more than 1% as Middle East tensions remained elevated, according to Reuters.

Analysts said investor sentiment was fragile with civil unrest in Hong Kong, tensions in the Middle East and worries over whether the United States and China would sign a trade deal soon. Moves were further exaggerated by low volumes as Japanese markets were shut for a public holiday, it said.

Affin Hwang Capital Research said the FBM KLCI Index inched higher on Friday, up 1.13 points or 0.07%, closing at 1,597.41.

"Anticipate the FBM KLCI Index to consolidate with slight downward bias.

"Technically, observing the weekly chart, price continues to remain well below all of the key EMAs (exponential moving averages), still indicating a bearish outlook.

"Anticipate the index to trade sideways within a tight range," it said.