KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
The US dollar rallied while European stocks tumbled on Tuesday after President-elect Donald Trump announced sweeping tariff plans targeting imports from Mexico, Canada, and China.
Market Impact
Currencies Under Fire
Trump’s Tariff Plan
Sweeping Tariffs Announced:
Other Market Moves
Market Impact
- The STOXX 600 fell 0.7%, led by automakers such as Volkswagen and Stellantis, which dropped between 2.6%-5%.
- The threat of tariffs on the European Union added pressure, with traders anticipating the EU could be next.
- S&P 500 futures eased 0.1%, following Monday’s 0.3% gain.
Currencies Under Fire
- The dollar surged 2.3% to 20.75 pesos and climbed 1% to C$1.4139, reflecting investor fears that Mexico would bear the brunt of Trump’s tariffs.
- Offshore yuan weakened to 7.2674 per dollar, its lowest since late July.
- The euro fell 0.1% to $1.04838, while the British pound eased 0.2% to $1.2548.
Trump’s Tariff Plan
Sweeping Tariffs Announced:
- 25% tariffs on all goods from Mexico and Canada.
- An additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.
- The measures are aimed at combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
- “The dollar’s move higher makes sense as markets digest Trump’s timing,” said Sean Callow of ITC Markets.
- Analysts warn of increased uncertainty, with policy surprises likely to become routine.
Other Market Moves
- Slipped 1% to $92,781, cooling further from last week’s record high of $99,830.
- Fell to a one-week low of $2,604.99, pressured by the dollar’s strength.
- Brent crude rose 0.6% to $73.41, while WTI crude climbed 0.45% to $69.25, as investors monitored developments in a potential Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.
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