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 (Aug 22): The FBM KLCI finished up 7.88 points or 0.49% today, led by AMMB Holdings Bhd share price rise and as investors took cue from overnight US equity gains as they tried to predict the quantum of future US interest rate cuts.
At 5pm today, the KLCI closed up at 1,602.47, led by component AMMB Holdings Bhd's (AmBank) 24 sen or 6.15% rise to RMRM4.14. AMMB was the top percentage gainer among the 30 KLCI stocks.
AMMB shares rose after the financial services provider reported earlier today first quarter net profit climbed to RM391.46 million from RM347.59 million a year earlier. Revenue was higher at RM2.39 billion from RM2.17 billion, AMMB said.
The KLCI closed higher today after falling 8.16 points or 0.51% to 1,594.59 yesterday. Today, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com there is hope for further recovery in the KLCI after he noted that the index had nearly recovered yesterday's loss.
“Should it continue to hold 1,600 over the near term, the KLCI may stage further recovery, targeting the 1,620 and 1,635 levels,” he said.
Today, the KLCI closed higher following overnight US equity gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.93%, S&P 500 rose 0.82% while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.9%.
Reuters reported that Wall Street's main indexes rose on Wednesday as upbeat earnings from retailers pointed to strength in US consumer demand, and held gains after minutes from last month's Federal Reserve meeting showed policymakers had debated a more aggressive interest rate cut.
It was reported that minutes from the Fed's policy-setting meeting on July 30-31, when the Fed cut rates by 25 basis points, showed that policymakers debated cutting rates more aggressively. It was reported that some participants preferred a 50-basis-point cut, but the committee was united in wanting to avoid the appearance of being on a path to further rate cuts.
Source: The Edge
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