KUALA LUMPUR (June 18): The FBM KLCI pared some of its losses at the midday break and was down 0.78%, with tepid sentiment tracking losses at the regional markets.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI fell 13.71 points to 1,748.07. The index had earlier slipped to its intra-morning low of 1,735.30.

Losers led gainers by 356 to 164, while 528 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 1.1 billion shares valued at RM980.92 million.

The top losers included Nestle (M) Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Petronas Dagangan Bhd, Hong Leong Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Industries Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd, Hengyuan Refining Company Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Kretam Holdings Bhd.

The actives included Kretam, Iris Corp Bhd, Sapura Energy Bhd, Barakah Offshore Petroleum Bhd, Gabungan AQRS Bhd, Cuscapi Bhd, My E.G. Services Bhd and TDM Bhd.

The gainers included Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, MISC Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Genting Plantations Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd and Scientex Bhd.

Asian shares fell on Monday after US President Donald Trump cranked up trade tensions by going ahead with tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to immediately respond in kind, according to Reuters.

Fears of a global trade war added to pressure on oil prices, which extended Friday's big fall, while the US dollar retreated from near three-week highs against the safe haven yen, it said.

Hong Leong IB Research said that in the US, the threat of a trade war may extend pressure on stock markets as the Trump administration could be looking at an additional US$100 billion in import tariffs on China goods.

"Hence, the upside on the Dow may be capped over the near term.

"With the resurfacing of trade war concerns between the US and China, we think the trading sentiment could turn slightly negative throughout the regional bourses, affecting the FBM KLCI's performance, eventually.

Meanwhile, JF Apex Securities Research said that following the bearish performance in the US and Europe, the FBM KLCI is expected to remain pressured with support at 1,750 points.