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.
Viral Throwback Amid Tough Economy
China’s slowing job market has sparked a wave of nostalgia online, with millions of young users flocking to social media to reminisce about the country’s high-growth years of the early 2000s. The hashtag “beauty in the time of economic upswings” has amassed nearly 50 million views on RedNote, China’s Instagram equivalent, as users share images of vibrant fashion, music videos, and advertisements from two decades ago.
A Silent Protest Against Economic Pressures
Youth Struggles: The trend coincides with the graduation of 12.2 million university students entering one of the toughest job markets in years, weighed down by US tariffs, deflation, and weak domestic consumption.
Dual-Speed Economy: While China’s GDP is expected to grow around 5% this year, analysts highlight a divide between robust exports and struggling household demand — a stark contrast to the 2001–2010 boom era.
Subtle Criticism: Analysts say the nostalgic posts act as indirect criticism of the current economic climate. “Using everyday symbols like fashion and make-up allows young people to express dissatisfaction without triggering direct censorship,” said Xiao Qiang, founder of China Digital Times.
Brands Jump on the Trend
Fashion houses and beauty brands are quick to capitalise. Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, and Valentino have sponsored “boom-era” themed posts, while P&G’s Safeguard and Nike are marketing products as “millennial classics reborn.” Maybelline even tied its campaign for bold lipsticks to the hashtag with the tagline: “Feel the beauty and vitality of the economic upswing.”
A Contrast in Styles
2000s: Futuristic metallic tones, pearlescent eyeshadows, and bold contrasts symbolised confidence and optimism.
2025 Trends: More muted “glass skin” and monochromatic looks reflect a cautious consumer mood in a slower economy.
Analyst View: The nostalgia wave underscores not just a cultural shift but also a barometer of consumer sentiment. As marketing teams ride the trend for engagement, the movement highlights deeper anxieties about job prospects, i
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