KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI continued to hover just above the 1,520 support as investors awaited fresh leads ahead of the peak corporate earnings season.

       At 9.20am, the key index was down 2.42 points to 1,520.63 in lacklustre trading.

       "As we enter the reporting season, we believe market players will focus on solid fundamental companies such as plantation and blue chips for now," said Malacca Securities Research in its daily note.

       However, it noted there could be upsides for the technology sector as the US Nasdaq traded on a bullish tone overnight.

       From a technical perspective, it said the key index may continue to trade in rangebound mode between the support level at 1,520 and resistance along 1,540-1,550, in the absence of any fresh catalysts.

       On the FBM KLCI, Hartalega fell nine sen to RM5.43, its lowest since January 2020.

       Succumbing to strong selling pressure, the glove maker's fortunes have continued to dip as the average selling price of latex gloves have normalised while it is also seeing downside pressure from the implementation of the Prosperity Tax.

       Meanwhile, sector peer Top Glove remained unchanged at RM2.42.

       Bank counters were mixed as with Maybank rising two sen to RM8.07, Hong Leong Bank dropping 10 sen to RM18.04, Public Bank rising one sen to RM4.03 and CIMB gaining one sen to RM5.03.

       On the broader market, Yinson surged for a second day, rising 29 sen to RM6.29. MPI climbed 42 sen to RM48.70 while Genetech added 36 sen to RM41.96.

       Top active counters were NWP up 0.5 sen to 38.5 sen, DNeX falling 0.5 sen to 82.5 sen and ATAIMS sliding 23 sen to RM1.63.