KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed almost flat on Tuesday as buying interest rotated away from index heavyweights towards smaller-cap construction stocks, with sentiment affected by geopolitical uncertainty, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.39 of a point to 1,714.40 from Monday’s close of 1,714.79. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points lower at 1,713.14 and moved between 1,710.44 and 1,714.50 throughout the trading session. The broader market was almost evenly balanced, with decliners leading gainers 548 to 546, while 598 counters were unchanged, 1,107 were untraded and 25 were suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.13 billion units valued at RM3.14 billion from 3.60 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on Monday.
Key Highlights:
- Grant Details:The Commerce Department finalized a $6.1 billion Chips Act grant for Micron Technology, enabling the company to build three state-of-the-art chip-making facilities.
Investment Impact:
- Micron's Commitment: Up to $125 billion in planned investments over two decades in New York and Idaho.
- Additional Expansion: Preliminary terms agreed for a $275 million investment to expand Micron's Manassas, Virginia plant, which specializes in DRAM chips for defense, aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications.
Chips Act Context:
- Passed in 2022, the Chips Act allocates nearly $53 billion to boost U.S. semiconductor production.
- The Biden administration aims to finalize key grants before the Trump presidency begins, as President-elect Trump has threatened to eliminate the Act.
- Micron's Role:Micron, the only U.S.-based memory chip maker, plans to construct:
- A "megafab" facility in Clay, New York, a collection of large-scale chip production units.
- Another fabrication facility in Boise, Idaho, its corporate headquarters.
Market Implications:
Strategic Importance:
- These investments align with U.S. efforts to reduce dependency on foreign semiconductors and strengthen domestic chip production.
- DRAM chips, critical for multiple industries, highlight Micron's pivotal role in national security and technological advancements.
Policy Uncertainty:
- The impending Trump administration raises concerns over the continuity of the Chips Act, which could impact further grants and the semiconductor industry’s growth trajectory.
Takeaway:
The finalized $6.1 billion Chips Act grant marks a significant milestone for U.S. semiconductor self-sufficiency, securing Micron’s position as a key domestic player. However, political uncertainty surrounding the Act's future could challenge long-term industry investments.
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