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...
The investment landscape for emerging markets is shifting as one of the most popular ETFs, the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex-China ETF, experiences record redemptions. This marks a stark reversal from 24 consecutive months of inflows that saw the fund’s assets surge by 745%.
The reason? China’s recent stimulus efforts and growing optimism surrounding its AI advancements have drawn investors back to the Chinese market, reversing the trend of pouring funds into non-China emerging markets. Despite the ongoing geopolitical frictions, China’s strides in artificial intelligence have positioned it as a dominant player, rejuvenating investor interest.
In the last year, Chinese stocks have returned 38%, outperforming both the MSCI ex-China index (1.7%) and the broader emerging market index (9%). The boost follows a volatile but optimistic period for China, with AI innovation and government support boosting investor confidence.
However, despite the positive developments in China, concerns about its geopolitical tensions with the U.S. remain a significant factor. China’s ongoing struggles with the U.S., including trade restrictions and tech curbs, are still fueling the rise of the ex-China investment trend. Yet, with the tech boom in China, particularly in AI, investors may be rethinking their positions.
For investors, the shift presents a choice: embrace the opportunities in China driven by AI or stick with the established ex-China trend. Some analysts suggest that the return to Chinese investments is more cyclical, tied to policy support and economic recovery.
As China continues to make strides in its tech sector, particularly in AI, it may just be a matter of time before the momentum continues. But for now, the ex-China ETFs are facing a cooling phase, even as their structural benefits remain intact.
Keep an eye on the emerging trends in China’s recovery and the global implications on your investments!
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