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...
Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins said on Tuesday that it would be “prudent to normalize policy a bit further this year” given that inflation risks have eased while downside risks to employment are growing.
Collins noted that even with some additional easing, monetary policy would remain mildly restrictive, ensuring inflation continues to moderate once tariff effects fade.
However, she emphasized that policy is “not on a preset path”, and future decisions will depend on incoming data and evolving risks.
“I can envision scenarios where appropriate policy calls for holding rates steady later this year and into next,” Collins said, signaling a data-dependent and cautious stance.
Her comments align with market expectations of at least one more Fed rate cut before year-end, as the central bank balances cooling inflation against softening labor conditions.
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