US markets extended losses as rising oil prices and a sharp sell-off in tech stocks weighed on sentiment , overshadowing dovish signals from the Federal Reserve. Key Market Moves S&P 500 fell 0.4% to 6,343.72 Nasdaq dropped 0.7% to 20,794.64 Dow Jones rose 0.1% to 45,216.14 Key takeaway: Tech weakness and oil-driven inflation fears are dragging the broader market lower. What’s Driving the Sell-Off? 1. Oil Prices Surge Again Crude oil jumped over 5% to around US$105 Driven by ongoing US–Iran–Israel conflict Higher oil = higher inflation risk = pressure on equities 2. Tech Stocks Lead the Decline Heavy losses in AI, chip, and data-related names: Applied Digital : -13.5% AXT Inc : -13% Micron Technology : -9.9% Arm Holdings : -5% Intel : -4.5% Super Micro Computer : -4.1% AI and semiconductor stocks are facing profit-taking and valuation concerns 3. Fed Comments Not Enough to Lift Sentiment Jerome Powell signaled no immediate rate hikes despite rising energy pri...
KUALA LUMPUR (March 19): The FBM KLCI closed 1.55 points or 0.1% higher as share trade volume across Bursa Malaysia fell below two billion. The KLCI erased losses to finish at 1,847.94 on bargain hunting and as Asian share markets ended mixed.
Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.9%, South Korea's Kospi fell 0.76% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng erased losses to close 0.04% higher.
Reuters reported that Asian share markets traded mixed on Monday as caution gripped investors in a week in which the Federal Reserve is likely to hike US interest rates and perhaps signal that as many as three more lie in store for the rest of the year. The Federal Reserve is scheduled to announce on Wednesday (March 21) the US' interest rate decision.
In Malaysia today, Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com: “Market up because of the Friday close of the US Dow Jones Industrial Average, and the backdrop was generally okay for the global markets.”
Today, the KLCI closed higher after falling to its intraday low at 1,845.45. Pong said investors had bargain hunted for KLCI-linked telecommunication, banking and plantation stocks.
Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.94 billion shares worth RM1.68 billion were traded. On Friday, the bourse saw 2.88 billion shares worth RM4.26 billion transacted.
Source: The Edge
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