KUALA LUMPUR: The domestic market remained tightly wound by a consolidation trading band as investors remained cautious over the release of 3Q corporate earnings, which are expected to be negatively impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown.

       At 9.30am, the FBM KLCI was down 3.22 points to 1,521.91 with profit-taking taking the index closer to the 1,520 support level amid the heightened caution.

       As the quarterly results roll in, a double-digit decline in Supermax's earnings sent the glove maker down two sen to RM1.80. Its bigger sector rivals were also led lower with Top Glove down four sen to RM2.47 and Hartalega sliding six sen to RM5.39.

       The Bursa Malaysia Energy Index meanwhile continued to slip on falling crude oil prices, hastened by the Opec chief's call for caution over a possible market surplus over the near term.

       The energy index was down 0.67% to 765.06.

       Individual counters taking a step back included Hibiscus Petroleum fallig three sen to 79.5 sen, Petra Energy sliding two sen to 80 sen and Hengyuan Refining dropping two sen to RM4.02.

       Meanwhile, crude palm oil prices firmed up to RM5,325 per metric tonne yesterday after a sharp fall in Tuesday's session.

       Sime Darby Plantation rose one sen to RM3.88, Kuala Lumpur Kepoing was up two sen to RM20.46 and IOI dipped one sen to RM3.77.

       On the broader market, top actives were WZ Satu up 2.5 sen to 25 sen, Solution Engineering rising 12 sen to 63 sen and Tanco gaining 0.5 sen to 27 sen.