KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia's key index closed at an intraday high today, supported by continued buying interest even as renewed geopolitical tensions and a weaker overnight lead from Wall Street following the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision to stand pat on interest rates weighed on broader sentiment. The Fed has decided to hold rates steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, with the Federal Funds Rate unchanged between 3.50 per cent and 3.75 per cent. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.84 points to 1,720.40 from yesterday’s close of 1,715.56. The benchmark index, which opened 1.14 points lower at 1,714.42, hit its lowest level of 1,710.69 in early trade before gaining momentum for the rest of the day. However, the broader market was negative with losers outpacing gainers 581 to 411, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,173 untraded, and 87 suspended. Turnover declined to 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion from ...
Asian Markets Cautious Ahead of Powell’s Speech; Yen Strengthens as BOJ Chief Signals Possible Rate Hikes
Asian shares were mostly subdued on Friday as investors turned cautious ahead of a key speech by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which is expected to provide guidance on the timing of potential U.S. interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen gained strength following comments from Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda, who reiterated the central bank’s readiness to raise rates if economic conditions warrant it.
Key Takeaways:
Market Caution Ahead of Powell's Speech: Asian markets showed signs of caution with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan falling 0.4%. Investors are focused on Powell's upcoming speech in Jackson Hole, as recent Fed comments suggest a possible rate cut in September. However, the pace and size of any cuts remain uncertain, with markets slightly reducing the likelihood of a larger half-point reduction.
Yen Strengthens Amid BOJ's Stance: The Japanese yen rose 0.3% against the U.S. dollar, reflecting investor reaction to BOJ Governor Ueda's comments. Despite a slowdown in demand-driven price gains, Ueda indicated that the BOJ could raise rates if the economy aligns with its forecasts. However, the next potential rate hike might be delayed until December, given the recent reintroduction of energy subsidies and expectations of moderated inflation.
Mixed Performance in Asian Markets: While Japan's Nikkei remained flat near its three-week highs, other Asian markets showed mixed results. China's blue-chip stocks gained 0.3%, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell by 0.4%, and South Korea's market dropped by 0.5%. These movements reflect a broader trend of cautious trading ahead of Powell's speech, which could either reassure or unsettle markets depending on its content.
In summary, as global markets brace for signals from the Fed, the focus remains on how central bank policies will evolve in response to emerging economic data, with the yen and Asian markets responding to both domestic and international monetary policy developments.
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