MONEY MASTER

Global markets swung sharply into risk-off mode as military escalation in the Middle East sent oil prices soaring, equities tumbling and the US dollar sharply higher. Brent crude jumped nearly 10% to US$79.90, briefly topping US$82. US crude climbed more than 8% to US$72.64. Gold surged 2.6% to US$5,413 an ounce. The escalation between Israel and Iran has intensified concerns over energy supply disruption, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Hormuz Risk Driving Oil Premium Roughly 20% of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. While the waterway remains technically open, tanker congestion and insurance risks have effectively disrupted flows. Even with OPEC+ announcing a modest output increase of 206,000 barrels per day for April, supply logistics remain uncertain. Money Master Take Markets are repricing both growth and inflation risk simultaneously. 1. Oil Shock = Inflation Risk Returns A sustained move toward US$80–90: Raises global inf...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended broadly lower on Monday as risk sentiment deteriorated sharply following renewed escalation in the Middle East conflict, triggering a widespread regional equity sell-off. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined 16.40 points, or 0.95 per cent, to 1,700.21, from Friday’s close of 1,716.61.  The benchmark index opened 27.97 points lower at 1,688.64 and moved between 1,684.28 and 1,703.90 during the session. Market breadth was fragile, with 1,039 decliners outpacing 290 gainers, while 392 counters were unchanged, 904 counters were untraded and 23 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.90 billion units valued at RM3.91 billion from Friday’s 3.53 billion units valued at RM5.53 billion.  IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the market reaction mirrored global risk-off behaviour, with investors reducing ...