KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
Chinese & Asian Markets Overview
- Mainland China & Hong Kong stocks rebounded, with Chinese tech stocks up over 2%, led by Alibaba & JD.com.
- Asian markets traded mixed, reflecting uncertainty in the U.S. economy after weak consumer confidence data.
- Optimism in Chinese stocks persists, driven by AI advancements and President Xi Jinping’s engagement with corporate leaders.
Market Factors to Watch
- U.S.-China Trade Tensions: Trump's policies to decouple economic ties have unsettled global investors.
- Upcoming China Policy Meetings: Investors are watching for potential policy shifts or economic support measures.
- U.S. Fed Interest Rate Cuts: Markets are pricing in two rate cuts in 2025, as Treasury yields hit mid-December lows.
Global Market Reactions
U.S. Markets:
- S&P 500 futures up 0.2% after a four-day losing streak.
- Nvidia (NVDA) earnings on Wednesday could be a key driver for AI-related stocks.
Commodities:
- Copper rose after Trump ordered a review of potential tariffs.
- WTI crude steadied at $69.17/barrel, after dropping into the $60s range due to economic concerns.
- Gold retreated, while Bitcoin continued its decline, extending a 6% overnight drop.
Key Economic Events This Week
- Nvidia earnings (Wednesday) – A critical AI market barometer.
- U.S. PCE inflation report (Friday) – The Fed’s preferred inflation metric, expected to cool further.
- U.S. GDP & durable goods data (Thursday) – Market-moving economic indicators.
Summary:
- Chinese stocks rebound, led by tech, while U.S. markets remain cautious.
- AI and China’s policy direction remain key themes driving investor sentiment.
- Markets await Nvidia earnings and the Fed’s inflation report for further direction.
Comments
Post a Comment