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...
Asian equities were mixed on Thursday as strong results from Nvidia failed to lift confidence, with investors focusing instead on risks to the chip giant’s China business and broader trade tensions.
Nvidia’s Earnings Jolt Fades
Nvidia reported blowout quarterly earnings but warned that no shipments of its H20 products went to China due to trade restrictions.
Shares fell after hours, dragging US futures lower:
S&P 500 e-mini futures: –0.2%
Nasdaq futures: –0.4%
Analysts at Goldman Sachs said the results and guidance were solid, but elevated expectations meant little margin for disappointment.
Asian chipmakers in Korea and Taiwan are expected to mirror Nvidia’s performance as investors cut exposure.
Market Moves Across Asia
MSCI Asia-Pacific Index (ex-Japan): –0.2%, swinging between gains and losses.
Japan: Nikkei 225 +0.4% after reports that top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa cancelled a planned US trip related to trade talks.
Korea: KOSPI +0.3% after the Bank of Korea kept its benchmark rate at 2.5%.
Hong Kong: Hang Seng –1%, led by Meituan’s 9.7% drop after the food delivery firm reported weaker quarterly profit.
Dollar Weakens, Fed in Focus
The dollar edged lower as traders priced in a near-term US rate cut:
Market odds of a 25 bps cut in September: 88.7% (vs 61.9% a month ago).
Yield on 10-year US Treasuries: 4.2362%, little changed.
Trump’s recent actions raised concerns about Fed independence:
Fired Fed Governor Lisa Cook, who is planning legal action.
Pressured for sharp rate cuts and hinted at replacing Fed Chair Powell before softening his stance.
Commodities Snapshot
Brent crude: –0.5% to US$67.74 per barrel.
Spot gold: –0.2% to US$3,391.60 per ounce.
Outlook
Despite record highs on Wall Street earlier this week, investors remain cautious. Nvidia’s China exposure, ongoing US–China trade friction, and Trump’s intervention in monetary policy are shaping near-term risk sentiment across Asian markets.
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