KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s key index closed higher today on bargain hunting, in line with positive investor sentiment across regional markets, consolidating at its highest level in more than two months — a level last seen on Oct 2, 2025. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 12.42 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 1,637.81, compared with Thursday’s close of 1,625.39. The benchmark index opened 2.83 points lower at 1,622.56, thereafter edged down to an early low of 1,622.03, before staging an uptrend to an intraday high of 1,640.36 in late trading. Market breadth was positive, with gainers trouncing decliners at 743 versus 387. Another 530 counters were unchanged, 1,108 untraded, and 16 suspended. Turnover increased to 3.09 billion units worth RM2.46 billion from 2.99 billion units worth RM2.35 billion on Thursday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI ended higher on continued...
Key Takeaways
Credit-card dependence is rising again
More Americans plan to finance holiday shopping with credit, signaling pressure on disposable incomes.
Inflation is still the dominant economic fear
Even with a cooling trend in recent months, it continues to shape consumer behavior.
Spending is increasingly polarized
Higher-income households are driving discretionary spending, while lower-income groups are relying on credit to cope with necessities.
Delinquencies remain stable—for now
Low joblessness is helping keep credit risk contained, but rising card usage may test borrowers’ resilience in 2026.
US consumers are preparing to rely more heavily on credit cards for the upcoming Thanksgiving-to-Cyber-Monday shopping season, according to new data that underscores the pressure inflation continues to exert on household finances.
A TransUnion survey of 3,000 consumers found that 42% plan to use credit cards for holiday purchases, up from 38% last year. The shift highlights how even as overall sentiment remains cautious, spending intentions remain resilient—particularly among higher-income Americans.
Despite steady unemployment, only 55% of respondents said they feel optimistic about their finances over the next 12 months, down from 58% a year ago.
Inflation remains the overwhelming concern, cited by 86% of respondents, followed by worries about an economic downturn and persistently high housing costs.
According to Charlie Wise, TransUnion’s head of global research and consulting, the consumer landscape is increasingly split between those who use credit cards for convenience and rewards, and those who are turning to credit as a financial buffer.
Higher-income shoppers continue to spend robustly, Wise said, while lower-income households are relying more on unsecured credit to manage rising living costs. Even so, he noted that card delinquencies remain “under control” thanks in part to low unemployment.
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