KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI remained slightly lower at midday as profit-taking in certain key heavyweights dragged on the market.

       At 12.30pm, benchmark index was down 2.34 points to 1,595.64, in line with global markets as the Ukraine war sent crude oil futures rallying again, stoking inflation fears.

       In banks, Public Bank slid one sen to RM4.64 and Hong Leong Bank fell four sen to RM20.46, while Maybank rose one sen to RM8.95 and CIMB added three sen to RM5.40.

       Plantation fell, led by Sime Darby Plantation down five sen to RM4, IOI falling four sen to RM4.14 and Kuala Lumpur Kepong unchanged at RM25.50.

       Tech counters also resumed their fall with MPI slipping 22 sen to RM37.78, KESM down nine sen to RM8.83 and D&O sliding nine sen to RM4.67.

       Top actives were CSH dropping 1.5 sen to 15 sen, Pasukhas unchanged at two sen and Focus up one sen to four sen.

       In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei dropped 0.4%, South Korea's Kospi shedding 0.5% and China's composite index falling 0.5%.

       Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Australia's ASX200 each rose 0.2%