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...
Key Highlights (Sept 19, 2025)
Central banks: US, Canada & Norway cut rates; BOE held steady; BOJ expected to maintain ultra-easy stance amid political uncertainty.
Japan: Nikkei +0.7%, new record high; weekly gain +2% (after +4% last week). Yen steady at 148/USD. Core inflation slowed to 2.7% YoY in Aug, still above 2% target.
South Korea: -0.4% Friday, but +1.5% weekly, up nearly 8% in two weeks.
China/HK: CSI300 +0.2%, Hang Seng -0.3% ahead of Trump–Xi call. Tensions around TikTok, Huawei chips, and Nvidia bans in focus.
Region: MSCI Asia ex-Japan -0.3%, but set for +0.5% weekly, near 4-year highs.
Global Cues
Wall Street: S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq closed at record highs, supported by jobless claims data & Nvidia’s US$5B Intel investment.
Intel +23%, Nvidia +3.5%.
FX: Dollar index 97.42 (off Wednesday’s 96.22 low). GBP at 1.3542 (-0.6%) post-BOE hold. USD +0.9% vs Norwegian crown.
Bonds: US 10Y yield steady at 4.11%.
Commodities:
Oil flat — WTI US$63.60, Brent US$67.47.
Gold stable at US$3,647/oz.
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