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Market Daily Report: Bursa Malaysia Ends Higher In Line With Most Regional Markets

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
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Asian Stocks Decline Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Uncertainty

Asian stocks retreated on Tuesday as rising geopolitical tensions and economic concerns weighed on investor sentiment. The focus remained on potential U.S. interest rate cuts, the upcoming earnings report from AI leader Nvidia, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, all of which contributed to a cautious market environment.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Geopolitical Risks and Market Reactions: Investor anxiety heightened due to renewed conflict between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, coupled with supply concerns following Libya's announcement of oilfield closures. These developments drove a surge in oil prices, although they slightly eased in early trading on Tuesday. Gold, a traditional safe-haven asset, remained near record highs as investors sought stability amid the geopolitical turmoil.

  2. Impact of Global Economic Policies: The market's attention is also focused on U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s recent indication of forthcoming interest rate cuts. Markets are anticipating a 25-basis-point cut in September, with the potential for further reductions depending on key economic data, including the U.S. personal consumption expenditure price index and the August payrolls report. This anticipation has led to volatility in currency markets, with the yen experiencing fluctuations and the U.S. dollar firming slightly.

  3. Asian Market Performance and Investor Sentiment: The MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell by 0.36%, pulling back from a one-month high. Japan's Nikkei, China’s CSI 300, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index all posted losses, with the latter particularly affected by disappointing earnings from PDD Holdings, reflecting weaker consumer spending in China. Additionally, Canada’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum has further dampened market sentiment in the region.

In summary, Asian markets faced pressure from a combination of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and trade policy developments, leading to a cautious approach by investors as they await further clarity on global economic trends and corporate earnings.

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