KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s key index finished marginally higher, supported by strong buying interest in consumer-related counters, amid mixed performance across regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 1.40 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 1,711.39 from Tuesday's close of 1,709.99. The key index opened 12.36 points firmer at 1,722.35 and moved between 1,711.31 and 1,722.63 throughout the session. Market breadth was negative, with losers leading gainers 678 to 493, while 549 counters were unchanged, 1,016 untraded and 34 suspended. Turnover increased to 4.50 billion units worth RM3.45 billion from 3.93 billion units worth RM3.45 billion on Tuesday.
Asian markets traded mixed on Friday as Wall Street’s pullback and cooling commodity prices tempered sentiment ahead of key central bank meetings and U.S. earnings season.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan index slipped 0.2%, paring weekly gains that have put the region on course for one of its strongest years in a decade. Hong Kong shares led losses, down 1.1%, while South Korea’s KOSPI rose 1.7% and Australia eased 0.1%.
Regional strength this year has been underpinned by robust AI hardware demand and a surge in manufacturing orders linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff and industrial policies.
Wall Street and Fed Outlook
U.S. markets ended lower overnight, with traders booking profits in high-momentum trades including gold, silver, crypto, and AI stocks, after a sharp multi-week rally.
Futures pointed to a steadier tone, with S&P 500 e-minis up 0.2% in early Asia trade. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yieldeased slightly to 4.14%, while Fed funds futures priced a 94% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the Oct 29 FOMC meeting.
Japan and Currency Moves
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.7% after hitting a record high on Thursday. Fresh data showing 2.7% wholesale price growth in September kept investors alert for a possible Bank of Japan rate hike later this month.
The yen traded at 152.96 per dollar, near its weakest level since February, following comments by new ruling party leader Sanae Takaichi, who said central bank policy must align with government goals. Analysts expect continued fiscal expansion but remain cautious on the policy outlook.
Commodities and China
Gold held just below the US$4,000 mark at US$3,971.93/oz, while silver rose 1% to US$49.62/oz after briefly surpassing US$50.
Brent crude added 0.1% to US$65.27/bbl as markets weighed the Israel–Hamas ceasefire deal.
Chinese equities fell as rare earth export controls tightened further ahead of scheduled Trump–Xi trade talks, pressuring large-cap ETFs.
Outlook
Despite the cautious tone, Asian equities remain buoyed by robust tech exports and monetary easing expectations, positioning the region to outperform Western peers through year-end.
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