KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 19): The FBM KLCI fell 0.49% at mid-morning today to stay firmly rooted below the 1,600-point level, dragged by index-linked blue chips, tracking softer regional markets.

At 10am, the FBM KLCI lost 7.79 to 1,596.57.

Losers led gainers by 291 to 179, while 309 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 541.83 million shares valued at RM231.83 million.

The losers included Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, PPB Group Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd, Digi.Com Bhd, Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

The actives included Tiger Synergy Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Bumi Armada Bhd, KNM Group Bhd, Green Packet Bhd, IFCA MSC Bhd and Seacera Group Bhd.

The gainers included G3 Global Bhd, Nestle (M) Bhd, Pharmaniaga Bhd, Mi Technovation Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Lysaght Galvanized Steel Bhd, Genetec Technology Bhd and Hume Industries Bhd.

Asian shares started Tuesday softer as another day awaiting clearer news on the progress of US-China trade negotiations weighed on jaded investors' sentiment, according to Reuters.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.1%, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said investors were pushing Wall Street towards all-time-high region over the past few weeks in anticipation of a Phase 1 deal going through, supported by recent positive economic data and upbeat US 3Q19 reporting season as the S&P 500 earnings is expected to fall only around 1.8% year-on-year from the 4.9% drop before the start of the earnings season.

"Nevertheless, until the signing of the agreement coupled with overbought levels, the Dow is likely to remain event-driven with formidable resistance near 28,500. Key supports are located [at] 27,600/27,300," it said.

On the local front, it said the relief rally from the four-year low of 1,548.5 (Oct 10) could still have legs towards 1,614-1,620 zones amid optimism of the US-China Phase-1 trade talks and China's stimulus measures coupled with expectations of year-end window dressing, offsetting concern of the ongoing November reporting season.

"KLCI should trend sideways with key supports at 1,582-1,592 levels whilst stiff resistances are located at 1,614-1,620," it said.