KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday in line with most Asian markets, mirroring gains from Wall Street, where investors welcomed the US Federal Reserve's substantial interest rate cut. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 3.17 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 1,668.82 at the close from Thursday's close of 1,665.65. It opened 5.03 points higher at 1,670.68, trading between 1,668.48 and 1,674.04 throughout the session. In the broader market, gainers outpaced decliners 732 to 468, while 465 counters were unchanged, 850 untraded and 32 suspended. Turnover swelled to 4.19 billion units worth RM5.97 billion, from Thursday's 3.99 billion units worth RM4.08 billion. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors head of investment research, Mohd Sedek Jantan, noted the FBM KLCI's gains were led by utilities, logistics, and banking stocks, reflecting improved market sentiment. Additiona
Key Takeaways: Market Positioning Ahead of Jobs Report: With markets at near all-time highs, the immediate impact of the Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report may be muted due to the holiday-shortened trading week. Sector-Specific Employment Trends: Anticipated job increases in government, healthcare, and technology sectors provide strategic investment insights. Impact of Federal Reserve Policies: Recent employment data and the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates suggest limited chances of a rate cut in the near term. Monitoring Unemployment Claims: The latest jobless claims data indicate mixed signals, with overall unemployment benefits increasing, hinting at underlying labor market dynamics. Sector Vulnerabilities: Investors should remain cautious about sectors vulnerable to inflation and high interest rates, such as consumer discretionary and retail. Market Context and Jobs Report Implications: As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) prepares to release the June Non-Farm Payroll