KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Tuesday, outperforming most regional markets as investors continued to rotate towards commodity and plantation-related stocks, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 7.47 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 1,733.36 compared with Monday’s close of 1,725.89. The benchmark index opened 1.63 points higher at 1,727.52, and fluctuated between 1,723.60 and 1,734.53 throughout the day. On the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 762 to 438, while 576 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 16 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.74 billion units valued at RM2.91 billion from 3.45 billion units valued at RM2.74 billion on Monday.
The year 2024 was marked by transformative shifts in global financial markets, with standout performances from Bitcoin, U.S. equities, and gold, while other assets, like crude oil, faced challenges.
Key Market Highlights
1. Bitcoin’s 136% Surge: A Digital Gold Rush
- Performance: Bitcoin soared 136.88%, becoming the top-performing asset of 2024.
- Drivers:
- Institutional Investment: Increased adoption for its inflation-hedging properties.
- Bitcoin ETFs: Approval in the U.S. improved liquidity and accessibility.
- Technological Advancements: Lightning Network upgrades attracted long-term investors.
- Trump’s Re-Election: Analysts expect lenient crypto policies, including potential tax reductions and compatibility initiatives with the U.S. dollar.
- Outlook: Analysts warn of potential regulatory scrutiny in 2025, but Bitcoin’s appeal may strengthen if inflationary pressures persist globally.
2. U.S. Equities Soar on Tech Leadership
- Nasdaq: +32.74%
- S&P 500: +26.86%
- Key Drivers:
- Generative AI Boom: Companies like Nvidia and Microsoft fueled the tech sector's exponential growth.
- Federal Reserve Policy: A dovish stance mid-year bolstered liquidity.
- Shareholder Returns: Stock buybacks and dividends drove prices higher.
3. Asia-Pacific Markets: Mixed Performance
- Nikkei 225: +17.95%, supported by Japan’s ultra-loose monetary policy.
- Hang Seng Index: +16.48%
- FTSE China A50: +15.86%, recovering late in the year due to supportive policies.
4. Commodities: Gold Shines, Oil Stumbles
- Gold: +28.68%, driven by geopolitical tensions and inflows into gold ETFs amid a weaker dollar.
- Natural Gas: +30.88%, rebounding due to global cold waves and supply disruptions.
- Crude Oil: -3.31%, impacted by the faster transition to renewables, reducing demand.
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