KUALA LUMPUR: Asian markets remained under pressure on Friday as investors awaited the implementation of the US trade tariffs on Chinese imports, marking a major escalation in the ongoing trade conflict.
Japan's Nikkei slipped 1% in early trade on a Wall Street Journal report that US President Donald Trump may have the country in his sights next for a trade fight.
At 9.05am, the FBM KLCI edged up 3.55 points to 1,802.12 as investors held above the key psychological level. Trading volume was 98.21 million shares valued at RM26.04mil. There were 100 gainers versus 83 decliners and 160 counters unchanged.
Among actively traded stocks, Frontken rose two sen to 94 sen, Sapura Energy
gained 0.5 sen to 34 sen and Sumatec was unchanged at three sen.
Stocks that lifted included F&N rising 28 sen to RM30.08, UMW gaining 16 sen to RM5.84 and Petronas Gast adding 14 sen to RM18.74.
On the retreat, Batu Kawan shaved six sen to RM16.90, Axiata lost five sen to RM4.50 and Taliworks dropped five sen to RM1.36.
In oil markets, prices rose on Friday after US crude inventories fell to their lowest levels since February 2015.
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 13 cents to US$67.90 per barrel.
Brent crude futures added 12 cents to US$76.62 a barrel.
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