KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended the first trading day of the week higher, maintaining its momentum from last week amid improving investor sentiment following the latest United States tariff announcements. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 5.15 points, or 0.29 per cent, to 1,757.98, compared with Friday’s close of 1,752.83. The benchmark index had opened 4.14 points higher at 1,756.97, and moved between 1,752.48 and 1,760.03 throughout the trading session. The broader market was positive, with gainers outpacing losers 584 to 520, while 537 counters remained unchanged. A total of 1,139 counters remained untraded and 24 were suspended. Turnover widened to 2.47 billion units worth RM2.65 billion compared to 2.03 billion units worth RM2.20 billion last Friday.
South Korea’s export engine is accelerating again — powered by the global AI boom — even as uncertainty lingers over US tariff policy.
Early February Trade Snapshot
According to preliminary customs data (first 20 days of February):
Exports (working-day adjusted): +47.3% YoY
January full-month: +34% (revised)
Unadjusted exports: +23.5%
Imports: +11.7%
Trade surplus: US$4.95 billion
Notably, the surge came despite fewer working days due to the Lunar New Year holiday — suggesting underlying momentum remains strong.
Semiconductors: The AI Effect
The standout driver:
Semiconductor exports: +134% YoY
Computer peripherals: +129%
Petrochemicals: +11%
The strength reflects sustained global demand for AI servers, data centres, and high-performance chips.
The AI investment cycle is now cushioning broader trade volatility.
Autos Drag as Tariffs Bite
Weak spots:
Auto exports: -27%
Auto parts: -21%
Sector-specific US duties on autos and steel remain in place under separate trade frameworks, weighing on shipments.
Where the Growth Came From
By destination:
🇨🇳 China: +31%
🇺🇸 United States: +22%
🇪🇺 EU: +11.4%
🇹🇼 Taiwan: +76.4%
Despite legal shifts in Washington after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down emergency tariffs, President Donald Trump has reimposed global tariffs under alternative authority — keeping the effective ceiling largely unchanged for Korean goods.
Seoul says it will maintain the existing US-Korea tariff agreement while safeguarding national interests.
Currency & Inflation Watch
The won has strengthened this year but remains:
>6% weaker than last summer
That adds:
Export competitiveness tailwind
Inflation uncertainty
January CPI rose 2%, matching the Bank of Korea target.
The BOK held rates at 2.5% and is widely expected to stay on hold at this week’s meeting.
Market Takeaway
South Korea’s export story is now clearly bifurcated:
AI & semiconductors → Powerful tailwind
Autos & tariff-exposed sectors → Ongoing pressure
As long as the global AI investment cycle remains intact, Korea’s trade surplus and growth momentum should stay resilient — even in a noisy trade-policy environment.
Bottom line:
The AI supercycle is currently overpowering tariff uncertainty — but policy risks remain a key swing factor for markets.
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