18/08/2014 (The Star) - Malaysia’s blue chips fell in early Monday trade, dragged down by plantations and profit taking of Petronas Gas though the broader market was firmer, supported by buying of small caps and lower liners.

At 9.36am, the FBM KLCI fell 2.99 points or 0.16% to 1,861.32. Turnover was 572.03 million shares valued at RM213.90mil. There were 272 gainers, 171 losers and 256 counters unchanged.

BIMB Securities Research expects the local market to remain sideways due to lack of fresh catalysts with the benchmark index hovering in the region of 1,860 to 1,870.

PPB Group fell 26 sen to RM14.76 and KL Kepong down 22 sen to RM23.08 as investors turn bearish following the higher stockpiles of crude palm oil and weakening prices. Kulim lost 10 sen to RM3.38.

Petronas Gas gave up part of the recent gains, falling 22 sen to RM22.42.

Tasco, which scaled fresh record highs last week on strong earnings came under profit taking, sliding 49 sen to RM3.10.

HLFG lost 16 sen to RM17.04 while cement maker Tasek also shed 16 sen to RM15.12.