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KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia’s benchmark index closed lower today, in line with most regional markets, as investors adjusted their risk exposure amid spiralling oil prices driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict, now in its second month. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) retreated by 24.75 points or 1.44 per cent to 1,687.90 from Friday’s close of 1,712.65. The market bellwether opened 10.57 points weaker at 1,702.08 and fluctuated between 1,682.79 and 1,702.38. The broader market was bearish, with decliners thumping advancers 956 to 371. A total of 373 counters were unchanged, 1,042 untraded and 134 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.98 billion units worth RM4.85 billion from last Friday’s 2.97 billion units worth RM3.25 billion.

Euro  is on track for its  worst quarterly performance since 2024 , as rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions expose Europe’s  structural vulnerability to energy imports . Currency Weakness Accelerates on Oil Shock The euro has declined: ~2% this quarter ~2.5% in March , the steepest monthly drop since July It now trades near  US$1.15 , reversing sharply from levels above  US$1.20 earlier this year . Analysts warn the currency could weaken further toward  US$1.13  in the near term. Energy Dependence Weighs on Europe The selloff reflects Europe’s heavy reliance on imported energy: Oil prices have surged  above US$115 per barrel The  Strait of Hormuz disruption  is tightening supply Unlike the US, which benefits as a  net energy producer , Europe faces: Higher inflation Weaker economic growth Policy Outlook Turns Hawkish — But Growth Risks Persist Markets are now pricing: Three interest rate hikes in 2026 A sharp reversal from ex...

Nvidia (NVDA.US)  is now trading at its  lowest price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio in seven years , as geopolitical tensions and concerns over AI returns weigh heavily on investor sentiment. Valuation Compression Signals Market Caution Nvidia’s forward  P/E has dropped to ~19.6x , falling below the  S&P 500 average (~20x)  — an unusual shift for a high-growth technology leader. The decline follows a  ~20% drop from its October peak , wiping out over  US$800 billion in market value , despite strong fundamentals. War and Inflation Fears Drive Selloff The broader market downturn, triggered by the  Middle East conflict , has raised concerns that: Oil prices will remain elevated Inflation could reaccelerate Central banks may  delay rate cuts or tighten policy These macro risks have pressured high-growth tech stocks, including Nvidia. AI Spending Concerns Weigh on Outlook Investor sentiment has also been hit by doubts around  AI monetisation ti...

China’s state-owned lenders delivered  muted earnings growth in 2025 , highlighting ongoing pressure from  policy-driven lending and shrinking interest margins . Profit Growth Slows Across Major Lenders Agricultural Bank of China  reported  net profit growth of 3.2% to 291 billion yuan , while  Bank of China  posted a weaker  2.2% increase . Similar trends were seen across peers, including  Industrial and Commercial Bank of China  and  China Construction Bank , reflecting  sector-wide earnings constraints . Despite the modest growth, total industry profits still reached  2.38 trillion yuan , up  2.3% year-on-year . Margin Compression Remains Key Headwind The banking sector continues to face a  “double squeeze” : Record-low net interest margins (NIMs) Policy pressure to support economic growth through lending This has limited profitability even as loan volumes expand. Asset Quality Shows Early Signs of Stress While hea...

Market Summary (March 30, 2026) Malaysia equities ended sharply lower, with  broad-based selling across all indices : FBM KLCI:  1,687.90 (-1.45%) FBM Mid 70:  -1.65% FBM Small Cap:  -1.53% FBM ACE:  -1.91% Market breadth turned negative: Losers (956) significantly outnumbered gainers (371) Trading value jumped to  RM4.85 billion , indicating strong selling activity Key takeaway: Market sentiment turned risk-off, with heavy distribution across sectors. Ringgit & Liquidity Snapshot USD/MYR:  4.0305 SGD/MYR:  3.1250 Despite equity weakness, the ringgit remained relatively stable. Top Gainers: Energy & Commodities Shine Gainers were concentrated in  plantation, commodities, and energy-related stocks : Kuala Lumpur Kepong   (+6.76%) Press Metal Aluminium   (+6.31%) Petronas Chemicals Group   (+5.69%) SD Guthrie   (+4.90%) Commodity-linked stocks benefited from rising oil and resource prices. Top Losers: Broad Selloff H...

Singapore equities showed  mixed performance  on March 30, with  energy-linked and defensive names outperforming , while broader sentiment remained cautious amid global macro uncertainty. STI Movers: Energy and Industrials Outperform The  FTSE Singapore Straits Times Index  saw selective buying, led by: Sembcorp Industries   (+2.77%)  – Top gainer, supported by  energy price tailwinds UOL Group   (+2.08%) Wilmar International   (+1.58%) Mapletree PanAsia Commercial Trust   (+1.53%) Seatrium   (+1.28%) On the downside: Thai Beverage   (-1.15%)  led decliners Yangzijiang Shipbuilding   (-1.04%) Dairy Farm International   (-0.92%) REITs: Volatility Continues Despite Select Bargain Hunting The S-REIT space remained volatile amid  rising yields and macro pressure : Top gainers: Prime US REIT   (+2.96%) KORE REIT   (+2.30%) Alpha Integrated REIT   (+2.17%) Top losers: IREIT Global   (-10.4...

Global markets are shifting focus from inflation to  growth risks , as escalating Middle East tensions push oil prices higher and raise concerns about a potential  stagflationary environment . Oil Surge Raises Recession Concerns Brent crude climbed to  US$116 per barrel , extending gains amid continued disruption in the Middle East. Analysts warn that if the conflict persists: Oil could surge toward  US$200 per barrel  in a worst-case scenario Prolonged supply disruption could trigger  global economic slowdown The ongoing closure of the  Strait of Hormuz  remains a key risk to global energy supply. Bond Markets Rally as Growth Fears Rise Government bonds strengthened as investors reassessed the economic outlook: US Treasury yields declined across the curve 2-year yield fell to 3.89% 10-year yield eased to ~4.39% Markets are now pricing in a  lower probability of rate hikes , with expectations for tightening in 2026 reduced to  25% from 3...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended the week marginally higher, supported by strong gains in selected heavyweight stocks led by healthcare and construction sectors, in line with the generally positive performance across regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 1.76 points to 1,712.65 from Thursday’s close of 1,710.89. The market bellwether opened 1.84 points higher at 1,712.73 and moved between 1,708.45 and 1,716.28. Market breadth, however, was negative with losers beating gainers 584 to 409. A total of 592 counters were unchanged, 1,207 untraded and 137 suspended. Turnover declined to 2.97 billion units worth RM3.25 billion from yesterday’s 3.0 billion units worth RM3.14 billion.

Europe’s economy is beginning to show clear signs of strain as the Iran conflict drives  higher energy prices, weaker growth, and rising inflation , threatening to derail the region’s fragile recovery. Growth Outlook Deteriorates Across Europe Governments across Europe are  cutting economic growth forecasts , as the war disrupts energy markets and business sentiment weakens. Major economies like  Germany and Italy  are reassessing projections, while policymakers brace for a  prolonged period of slower expansion .  The shock comes just as the region was recovering from previous crises, raising concerns of a  renewed economic slowdown . Inflation Pressures Resurface The surge in oil and gas prices is expected to  reignite inflation , forcing policymakers into difficult trade-offs. Central banks, including the European Central Bank, may need to: Shift toward  tighter monetary policy Delay or reverse  rate-cut expectations Officials warn the...

Hong Kong is seeing renewed interest from global wealth as the  Middle East conflict reshapes capital flows , prompting ultra-rich investors to reconsider exposure to the Gulf region. War Drives Capital Diversion from the Gulf Rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East have led  family offices and high-net-worth investors to reassess their allocations , with some delaying expansion plans in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Instead,  Hong Kong is emerging as a key alternative , alongside Singapore and other financial hubs, as investors seek  stability and diversification .  Some wealth managers report clients are already  moving assets out of the Middle East , with over  US$100 million in capital shifting toward Hong Kong . Hong Kong Regains Momentum as Wealth Hub The city is benefiting from renewed investor confidence, supported by: Low tax environment and deep talent pool Strong  IPO pipeline and capital markets activity Policy support, includi...

The United Arab Emirates is stepping up efforts to restore global energy flows, signalling willingness to join a  multinational maritime force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz , as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt supply. Strategic Move to Secure Critical Oil Route The UAE is advocating for a  “Hormuz Security Force” , aimed at: Escorting commercial vessels Protecting shipping from  Iranian attacks Restoring access to a route handling  ~20% of global oil and LNG flows The proposal highlights growing urgency among regional players to  stabilise energy markets and trade routes . Limited Global Support So Far Despite the initiative, several US allies have been  reluctant to commit military resources , reflecting: Concerns over  escalation risks Uncertainty surrounding the  ongoing conflict France has engaged with about  35 countries  on potential cooperation, but any coordinated action may depend on  an eventual ceasefire . UN R...

France has delivered a  better-than-expected fiscal performance in 2025 , providing the government with  greater room to navigate the economic fallout from the Iran-driven energy shock . Deficit Narrows More Than Expected France’s budget deficit fell to  5.1% of GDP in 2025 , improving from  5.8% in 2024  and beating the government’s  5.4% target . The stronger outcome was driven by: Higher tax revenues Slower growth in public spending This puts the government in a stronger position to meet its  2026 target of 5% deficit , easing pressure after political uncertainty and prior credit rating concerns. Fiscal Relief Comes at a Critical Time The improved fiscal position arrives as Europe faces  renewed economic risks from rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions . The Iran conflict is expected to: Push inflation higher Weigh on  economic growth Increase  government spending pressures France’s stronger fiscal base offers  short-term f...

Japan is temporarily reversing part of its clean energy strategy, allowing  greater use of coal-fired power plants  to safeguard energy supply amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Policy Shift to Boost Energy Security The government will permit  less-efficient coal plants to participate in capacity market auctions , expanding available electricity supply. Previously, these plants were excluded as part of efforts to  reduce carbon emissions , but rising energy risks have forced policymakers to prioritise  energy security over climate goals . Energy Shock Drives Strategic Reversal The shift comes as the  closure of the Strait of Hormuz  and disruptions at major LNG facilities strain global energy supply. Japan remains highly exposed: Over 90% of oil imports come from the Middle East LNG supply risks are rising due to regional instability Increasing coal usage is expected to  offset around 500,000 tonnes of LNG demand , helping stabil...

Pop Mart International Group Ltd  moved to stabilise its share price with its  largest-ever buyback , following a sharp selloff that erased  US$11 billion in market value . Record Buyback to Restore Market Confidence The company repurchased  3.94 million shares worth HK$599.7 million (US$76.6 million) , marking its biggest buyback to date. This follows earlier buybacks of  HK$347 million in January , which previously helped drive a  ~50% rally  in the stock. Earnings Shock Triggers Sharp Selloff Pop Mart shares plunged  31% over two sessions , reflecting investor concerns over: Slowing overseas growth momentum Increasing reliance on its flagship  Labubu doll franchise The sharp decline prompted  analyst downgrades and price target cuts , signalling weakening confidence in the company’s growth trajectory. Short Interest Signals Bearish Sentiment Despite the buyback, market sentiment remains cautious: Short interest stands at 16.8% of free...