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...
Singapore’s economy outperformed expectations in the third quarter, but fresh trade data suggests the city-state is not fully out of the woods as global protectionism continues to reshape supply chains.
Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) fell 3.3% in the July–September period, reversing a 7% rebound in the previous quarter, Enterprise Singapore reported Friday. The decline was driven by a sharp pullback in non-electronics shipments, which offset gains in the electronics sector. Volatile pharmaceutical exports were among the largest drags.
Despite Singapore’s resilience to tariff pressures—thanks in part to its lower US-bound duties relative to regional peers—its deep integration across global supply chains leaves it exposed to geopolitical swings and sector-specific shocks. The impact is already visible: exports to the US plunged 30.7% in the third quarter, the steepest drop among Singapore’s top 10 markets.
For the first nine months of 2025, NODX grew 2.2%, aligning with expectations for a softer second half. While AI-related demand and elevated gold prices may offer some lift in Q4, officials warned that a high comparison base in late 2024 could cap growth.
Enterprise Singapore narrowed its 2025 NODX forecast to around +2.5%, and expects export growth to flatten in 2026, projecting a range of 0% to 2%. Risks include renewed tariff escalation and targeted levies that could curb global demand.
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