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...
Investor Optimism Fades
- Market "vibes" are turning bearish, as investor sentiment weakens following a period of post-election optimism.
- S&P 500 falls for the fourth straight day, marking its longest losing streak since January.
- High-growth stocks like Palantir (PLTR) struggle, raising concerns over lofty valuations.
Key Reasons Behind the Market Shift
1. Tariffs & Economic Slowdown Fears
- Trump’s tariffs on Canada & Mexico (effective March 4) and potential trade restrictions on semiconductors add inflation risks.
- Investors worry that tariffs and layoffs may outweigh promised deregulation and tax cuts, fueling stagflation concerns.
2. Defensive Stocks Take the Lead
- Healthcare & consumer staples are the best-performing S&P 500 sectors, showing a shift to risk-off positioning.
- Meanwhile, the Magnificent Seven stocks enter correction territory, signaling fading confidence in tech.
3. Surge in Demand for Market Protection
- Hedge demand is rising, with the Cboe Skew Index hitting its highest level since 2005, showing a rush for downside protection.
- Bonds are rallying, but for the wrong reasons—investors see rising recession risks as Treasury yields fall.
4. Disappointing Economic Data
- Consumer confidence dropped to an 8-month low, adding to concerns over slowing growth.
- The Citi Economic Surprise Index turned negative, showing that data is underperforming expectations.
5. Bitcoin Drops as Gold Hits New Highs
- Bitcoin slips below $87,000, while gold reaches a record near $3,000/oz, showing a shift toward traditional safe havens.
Summary:
- Market sentiment is turning bearish, as investors worry about economic growth, tariffs, and inflation risks.
- Tech stocks struggle while defensive sectors lead, indicating a shift toward risk aversion.
- Hedge demand rises as economic data disappoints, fueling market uncertainty.
- Bitcoin declines, while gold surges—highlighting growing risk-off sentiment.
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