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...
Gold prices rose on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve delivered a 25bps rate cut, even as policymakers remained sharply divided on the path of future easing. Silver extended its powerful rally, touching another record high.
Gold Edges Higher After Fed Cut
As of 0040 GMT:
Spot gold rose 0.3% to US$4,242.39/oz
US gold futures (Feb) gained 1.1% to US$4,271.30/oz
Gold benefited from the lower-rate environment, as non-yielding assets typically perform better when borrowing costs decline.
Fed Divided on Future Easing
The Fed cut rates by 25bps but signaled a higher bar for further reductions, citing:
Inflation that “remains somewhat elevated”
Need for clearer evidence of a softening job market
In a rare split, six Fed officials indicated they did not support even this cut — highlighting unprecedented division within the central bank.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave no clear guidance on future cuts, saying policy is positioned to respond flexibly to upcoming data.
Key U.S. Data Ahead
Markets are watching:
November jobs & inflation data next week
Q3 economic growth report shortly after
ETF investors were cautious, with SPDR Gold Trust holdings dipping 0.11% to 1,046.82 tonnes.
Silver Surges to Another All-Time High
Silver continued its explosive rally:
Spot silver rose 0.9% to US$62.31/oz
After hitting a record US$62.67 earlier
Year-to-date, silver is up 113%, supported by:
Rising industrial demand
Falling global inventories
Its addition to the U.S. critical minerals list
Other Precious Metals
Platinum: +0.2% to US$1,658.85
Palladium: –0.3% to US$1,471.75
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