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.
Markets Brace for More Trade Turbulence; Dollar Gains as Risk Sentiment Wobbles
Analyst View:
Investors were hit with fresh trade war jitters after U.S. President Donald Trump escalated tariff tensions late Thursday, announcing a 35% tariff on all Canadian imports starting Aug 1. The EU is next, with a warning letter due "today or tomorrow," and other countries may face 15–20% blanket tariffs.
The news wiped out earlier gains in Asian stocks and sent U.S. and European futures sliding, while the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro and Canadian dollar.
Market Snapshot:
S&P 500 & Nasdaq Futures: -0.4%
EUROSTOXX 50 Futures: -0.6%
EUR/USD: -0.3% to $1.1668
USD/CAD: +0.4% to 1.3704
Even as Wall Street closed at record highs overnight — fueled by Nvidia’s historic $4 trillion market cap — global risk appetite remains fragile.
What to Watch:
Tariff Deadline: Aug 1 — with limited time left, most doubt the U.S. can finalize 10+ trade frameworks in time.
Earnings Season: JPMorgan kicks off Q2 earnings on Tuesday — investors will assess tariff impact on corporate margins.
Bond Market: U.S. 10Y Treasury yields steady at 4.35% — no panic in safe havens yet.
Commodities:
Brent Crude: $68.77 (+0.2%)
Gold: $3,333/oz (+0.3%) — safe-haven demand creeping in.
Investor Takeaway:
This is a headline-driven market. Traders are cycling between risk-on and risk-off rapidly. With tariffs back in focus, expect volatility spikes. Watch tech earnings, consumer sentiment, and central bank commentary closely.
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