KUALA LUMPUR (May 14): The FBM KLCI edged up at mid-morning today but gains are seen limited with no fresh catalysts in sight.

At 10.01am, the FBM KLCI was up 2.49 points to 1,805.51.

The top gainers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Globetronics Technology Bhd, SAM Engineering Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd, Pharmaniaga Holdings Bhd, Westports Holdings Bhd, MMC Corporation Bhd, C.I. Holdings Bhd, Unisem (M) Bhd, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Perak Corporation Bhd.

The top actives included Hovid Bhd, Frontken Corporation Bhd, Perisai Petroleum Teknologi Bhd, Kanger International Bhd and Systech Bhd.

The decliners included Carlsberg Brewery (M) Holdings Bhd, Mintye Industries Bhd, Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, United Malacca Bhd, Sime Darby Bhd, SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd and Genting Plantations Bhd.

The U.S. dollar huddled near three-month lows on Thursday after poor retail data proved a huge disappointment to those expecting a strong economic rebound from a weather-weakened first quarter, according to Reuters.

Investors reacted by pushing back the likely lift-off date for a rate hike by the Federal Reserve, giving gold a steer to five-week highs above $1,218 an ounce, it said.

Yet in a bizarre turn, German and U.S. bond yields still surged to their highest in over five months as a vicious selloff extended to its tenth session, said Reuters.

JF Apex Securities Research said US markets ended mixed following rising bond yields and flat retail sales in April.

Meanwhile, it said European stocks closed lower after Germany's GDP missed estimates.

“Back home, the benchmark FBM KLCI gained 4.41 points to 1803.02 points.

“With no catalyst in sight, we expect the KLCI to remain sideways around 1,800 points,” it said.