KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia gave up earlier gains to end mixed today, amid a higher regional market showing, as property, construction, and healthcare counters attracted buying interests, while plantation, banking, and telecommunication stocks saw some profit-taking, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.70 points to close at 1,602.34 from yesterday’s close of 1,604.04. The benchmark index, which opened 0.86 of-a-point lower at 1,603.18, moved between 1,601.02 and 1,608.88 during the trading session. However, the broader market was mixed to higher, with gainers leading decliners by 565 to 438 while 502 counters remained unchanged, 961 untraded, and 14 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 2.83 billion units valued at RM2.08 billion versus 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.23 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index remained range-bound and it required a dec
Global stocks fell on Wednesday after disappointing earnings reports from European giants LVMH and ASML, while the US dollar strengthened on expectations of a more gradual decline in US interest rates.
ASML, a key supplier to chipmakers like TSMC and Samsung, reported a gloomy 2025 sales forecast, citing prolonged weakness in the semiconductor market outside AI. Its shares plunged, falling by the most in nearly 30 years and losing another 5% early Wednesday. Meanwhile, LVMH, heavily reliant on Chinese consumers, saw its shares drop after weaker-than-expected Q3 sales, pulling down the CAC 40 and STOXX 600 indices.
Adding to the pressure, a Bloomberg News report revealed that US officials are considering a cap on AI chip exports to specific countries, further dragging down major chip indices in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
In the US, S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were flat after Tuesday’s decline, but Michael Brown, market strategist at Pepperstone, suggested that dips might be good buying opportunities if banks perform well.
As US elections loom, analysts warned of increased market volatility. With inflation slowing in the UK and expectations for the Bank of England to cut rates, the pound fell below US$1.30, while the FTSE 100 rose 0.6%.
The US dollar has surged due to expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts being revised down from 80 bps to 46 bps. The US dollar index remains near its highest level since August.
In commodities, oil prices remained steady following a 5% decline amid Middle East tensions and uncertainties around global supply. Brent crude futures rose 0.3% to US$74.44 a barrel.
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