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.
Market Opens on Positive Note
Bursa Malaysia started Friday on firmer ground as the United States confirmed a reduced 19% tariff on Malaysian imports, offering relief after weeks of trade uncertainty. The FBM KLCI rose 0.66% to 1,523.21, while the FBM70 and F4GBM indices added 0.39% and 0.61%, respectively, by 9:17 am. Market breadth turned positive with 127 advancers versus 103 decliners and early turnover at RM240.77 million.
Tariff Cut Offers Breathing Room
The softer levy, down from the earlier proposed 25%, is viewed as a temporary cushion for Malaysia’s export sector, especially in manufacturing and electronics. Analysts noted that the move should help ease pressure on external trade flows.
“A 19% rate provides short-term relief and stabilises sentiment, buying exporters time to adjust,” one economist said.
Sector Highlights
Blue-Chip Support: Banking and plantation counters lifted the benchmark index.
Actives in Focus: TWL, TRIVE and PHARMA topped the most actively traded list.
Energy Edge: Oil prices holding above US$69/barrel helped energy-linked stocks maintain momentum.
Macro Drivers in Play
Trade Watch: The US continues to implement tariff hikes on other nations, keeping global trade risks in focus.
Monetary Policy: The Federal Reserve’s latest stance on inflation remains key for risk sentiment.
Domestic Policy: Bank Negara’s surprise 25bps OPR cut to 2.75% and its revised 4.0%–4.8% 2025 growth forecast reinforce the effort to cushion the economy against external headwinds.
Investor Insights
The reduced tariff offers a near-term boost to Malaysia’s E&E and export-heavy sectors.
Sentiment support may sustain gains if coupled with BNM’s accommodative stance and the upcoming initiatives under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Monitoring sector rotation is key, with manufacturing, plantations and energy in focus as earnings season unfolds.
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