KUALA LUMPUR: All key regional markets were in the red at midday on Friday as investors worried whether the interest rate cuts in Europe and China could shore up economic growth.

The scepticism also saw commodities, ranging from oil to spot gold and palm oil retreating.

At 12.30pm, the FBM KLCI was up a marginal 0.1 point to 1,614.53. Turnover was 583.94 million shares valued at RM579.07mil. However, the broader market was firmer with 345 gainers, 270 losers and 304 stocks unchanged.

Among the key regional markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.62% to 9,023.91; Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slipped 0.4% to 19,729.41; Shanghai's Composite Index 0.48% to 2,190.71; Taiwan's Taiex 0.74% to 7,333.19; South Korea's Kospi 1,02% to 1,856.33 and Singapore's Straits Times Index0.33% to 2,961.75.

US light crude oil fell US$1.04 to US$86.20 and Brent lost US$1.18 to US$99.52 while spot gold shed US$1.13 to US$1,603.45.

The ringgit was weaker against the US dollar to 3.1730. Crude palm oil for third-month delivery lost RM12 to RM3,152.

At Bursa Malaysia, among plantations, KL Kepong rose 28 sen to RM24.18 but PPB fell 20 sen to RM15.80 with 200 shares done, BLD Plantations nine sen to RM8.50 and FGV eight sen to RM5.40.

BAT was the top gainer, up RM1 to RM57 while UMW-CF rose 26.5 sen to 77 sen, KPJ-WA 26 sen to RM4.42 and KPJ 24 sen to RM6.16.

Cement-based Tasek added 18 sen to RM9 and Lafarge 13 sen to RM7.81.

Luster was the most active with 33.84 million shares done, inching up one sen to 10.5 sen. Luster-WA rose 1.5 sen to 7.5 sen.

Dutch Lady topped the loser's list, down 46 sen to RM35.04 with 1,600 shares done as investors took profit.

Pharmaniaga, whose share price has more than double since it resumed trading on June 15 after meeting the public shareholding spread, fell 18 sen to RM10.72. Its pre-suspension price was RM4.99.

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