KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 10): The FBM KLCI pared some of its gains at the midday break, as sellers outpaced buyers.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up 2.44 points to 1,670.34. The index had earlier climbed to its intra-morning high of 1,673.57.

Losers led gainers by 334 to 299, while 345 counters traded unchanged, Volume was 1.36 billion shares, valued at RM937.86 million.

The top gainers included British American Tobacco (M) Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd, Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, HLT Global Bhd, Heineken Malaysia Bhd and Tasek Corporation Bhd.

The actives included Sumatec Resources Bhd, Hovid Bhd, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd, Green Packet Bhd, IFCA MSC Bhd and HLT Global.

The top losers included Petronas Gas Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd, Gening Plantations Bhd, Hovid and Pharmaniaga Holdings Bhd.

Asian stock markets steadied on Tuesday and crude prices inched up from Monday's three-week low, with investors uncertain whether output cuts by major exporters, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, will be enough to support the oil market, as other producers have increased supplies, according to Reuters.

Sterling, however, languished near its lowest close in three months, on renewed concerns about a "hard" Brexit, it said.

AffingHwang Capital Research said stocks in Bursa Malaysia may take a breather after two weeks of strong rally, and with crude oil prices retracing slightly, nevertheless sentiments in equity market remains bullish.

It said stocks may resume upward for more January-Chinese New Year rally.

“Buy on strengths,” it said.

“FBM KLCI’s underlying momentum remains strong, intraday pullbacks offer opportunity to buy on weakness, strong support seen at 1650,” it said.