KUALA LUMPUR (July 22): The FBM KLCI drifted lower in early trade this morning in line with the muted start in regional markets, while Sarawak-based oil and gas (O&G) integrated support services provider Ocean Vantage Holdings Bhd kicked off its debut on Bursa Malaysia on a firm note.

At 9.06am, the bellwether index had shed 1.81 points to 1,594.12.

The eartly decliners included Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Supermax Corp Bhd, Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd, Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Top Glove Corp Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd.

Meanwhile, Ocean Vantage rose 17.5 sen to 43.5 sen, with 36.7 million shares traded.

Bloomberg said Asian stocks saw a muted start to trading today, after a mixed US session, on doubts over the timing of a fresh stimulus programme.

The US dollar extended losses, it said.

Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd in its daily market report said Wall Street was rather mixed overnight as investors were hoping for a new stimulus package in the US.

It said the Dow Jones Industrial Average broke the 27,000 level during the early session before profit taking set in, thus pulling the index back to 26,840 or 160 points higher.

“In line with this, we believe regional markets to be mixed today after a solid performance yesterday.

“Locally, the FBM KLCI is expected to break the 1,600 mark today as buying momentum is not relenting anytime soon,” it said.