KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed marginally lower on Friday, as cautious sentiment persisted, with investors remaining on the sidelines amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 2.80 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 1,695.50 from Thursday’s close of 1,698.30. The benchmark index opened 5.82 points higher at 1,704.12, and moved between 1,693.65 and 1,708.12 throughout the day. However, market breadth remained positive, with gainers outnumbering losers 634 to 415, while 521 counters were unchanged, 1,077 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover improved to 3.38 billion units worth RM2.95 billion from yesterday’s 3.20 billion units worth RM3.50 billion.
Gold is heading for a weekly decline, with prices down 1.6% as optimism over 2025 Federal Reserve rate cutswanes. Despite trading above US$2,605 per ounce, the precious metal faces pressure from hawkish signals and resilient US economic data.
Key Highlights
1. Fed’s Rate-Cut Outlook
- The Fed reduced rates on Wednesday but hinted at a cautious approach to further cuts.
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the need for “more progress on inflation” before additional easing.
- Lower rates typically benefit gold, as it doesn’t pay interest, but the current monetary stance has tempered expectations.
2. Economic Data Weighs on Gold
- US GDP Data: Thursday’s report showed resilient economic growth and consumer spending revised up to 2.2%, reducing urgency for rate cuts.
- Traders now await the November Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data, a critical inflation indicator, due Friday.
3. Gold’s 2024 Rally Stalls
- 2024 Performance: Gold surged 26% this year, supported by:
- Monetary easing in the US.
- Safe-haven demand amid global uncertainties.
- Sustained central bank buying.
- The rally paused in November as Donald Trump’s election victory boosted the US dollar, pressuring gold prices.
4. Market Challenges Ahead
- ANZ Group Analysis: Analysts highlighted a potential headwind from weakening physical demand in India, a key gold market.
- The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 1.2% over three sessions, further weighing on gold prices.
Other Precious Metals
- Silver: Steady.
- Palladium: Unchanged.
- Platinum: Declined.
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