MONEY MASTER

Malaysia’s market closed lower on March 2 as geopolitical tensions and surging oil prices pressured broader risk sentiment — but energy-linked counters surged. The  FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI  fell 0.96% to 1,700.21. Market Snapshot (March 2, 2026) FBM KLCI: 1,700.21 (-0.96%) FBM70: -1.30% FBM Small Cap: -0.98% FBM Emas: -1.03% Risk-off tone dominated — except in oil and gas. FBM KLCI Movers Top Gainer Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd  (PCHEM) +13.00% to RM3.390 Other Gainers Petronas Dagangan Bhd  +1.27% MISC Bhd  +1.24% Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd  +1.12% RHB Bank Bhd  +0.71% Top Loser Mr DIY Group M Bhd  -7.26% Energy and commodity exposure dominated the gainers list. FBM70 Standouts Top Gainer Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd +18.13% Top Loser DRB-Hicom Bhd -8.20% Clear rotation into upstream oil producers. REIT Performance Top Gainer Tower Real Estate Investment Trust  (TWRREIT) +1.67% Top Loser Al-Salam Real Estate Investment Trust  (ALSREI...

Global markets swung sharply into risk-off mode as military escalation in the Middle East sent oil prices soaring, equities tumbling and the US dollar sharply higher. Brent crude jumped nearly 10% to US$79.90, briefly topping US$82. US crude climbed more than 8% to US$72.64. Gold surged 2.6% to US$5,413 an ounce. The escalation between Israel and Iran has intensified concerns over energy supply disruption, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Hormuz Risk Driving Oil Premium Roughly 20% of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. While the waterway remains technically open, tanker congestion and insurance risks have effectively disrupted flows. Even with OPEC+ announcing a modest output increase of 206,000 barrels per day for April, supply logistics remain uncertain. Money Master Take Markets are repricing both growth and inflation risk simultaneously. 1. Oil Shock = Inflation Risk Returns A sustained move toward US$80–90: Raises global inf...

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended broadly lower on Monday as risk sentiment deteriorated sharply following renewed escalation in the Middle East conflict, triggering a widespread regional equity sell-off. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) declined 16.40 points, or 0.95 per cent, to 1,700.21, from Friday’s close of 1,716.61.  The benchmark index opened 27.97 points lower at 1,688.64 and moved between 1,684.28 and 1,703.90 during the session. Market breadth was fragile, with 1,039 decliners outpacing 290 gainers, while 392 counters were unchanged, 904 counters were untraded and 23 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.90 billion units valued at RM3.91 billion from Friday’s 3.53 billion units valued at RM5.53 billion.  IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the market reaction mirrored global risk-off behaviour, with investors reducing ...

While the broader market sold off sharply, Malaysia’s energy counters rallied as crude prices surged following escalating tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. The  Bursa Malaysia Energy Index  climbed nearly 3%, significantly outperforming the broader market. Oil Spike Drives Sector Rotation Brent crude rose more than 5% to US$76.61 amid concerns over potential disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil supply. Analysts at  Mizuho Bank  estimate oil could briefly spike toward US$80–95 in coming weeks. In an extreme blockade scenario, prices could test US$135 before retracing. Top Energy Movers Leading gainers included: Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd  +14% Dialog Group Bhd  +6% MISC Bhd  +1.2% According to  CGS International : Hibiscus benefits directly as a pure upstream producer Around 35% of Dialog’s profit comes from upstream exposure MISC could gain from longer crude shipping routes and higher tanker freight rates Money...

Investors are rapidly rotating into defensive assets as the Middle East conflict intensifies, triggering a classic risk-off response across global markets. Money managers are favouring US Treasuries, gold, the US dollar and the Swiss franc, while trimming exposure to equities and emerging markets. The Immediate Market Reaction Key moves: US dollar surged Swiss franc strengthened Gold climbed Short-term Treasury yields fell to levels last seen in 2022 Brent crude spiked to multi-month highs The central concern remains the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade. Money Master Take This is not a simple geopolitical headline trade. It is a positioning reset. 1. “Haven First” Reflects Fragile Risk Appetite According to strategists, traders are adopting a “haven first, ask questions later” strategy. Why? Global equities were richly valued Credit spreads were tight AI volatility had already increased fragility Tariff uncertainty was unresolved The Iran e...

Markets opened the week in full risk-off mode as escalating military conflict in the Middle East sent oil sharply higher and equities lower. Brent crude surged 7.5% to US$78.34 per barrel, while US crude climbed 7.3% to US$71.88. Gold jumped 1.5% as investors sought safe havens. Strait of Hormuz in Focus Roughly 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz. While the waterway has not been officially closed, tanker traffic has effectively stalled amid security and insurance concerns. Analysts estimate up to 15 million barrels per day of crude supply could be disrupted. According to Rystad Energy, unless de-escalation emerges quickly, oil may undergo a “significant upward repricing.” Money Master Take This is no longer a headline shock. It is an oil supply risk scenario. 1. Oil Shock Is the Primary Macro Transmission Channel Higher crude prices function as: A tax on global growth An inflationary impulse A margin squeeze for energy-importing economies If Brent sus...

Airline shares across Asia tumbled after US and Israeli strikes on Iran disrupted Middle East airspace and triggered a sharp spike in oil prices. Carriers including  Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd ,  Qantas Airways Ltd ,  Singapore Airlines Ltd  and  Japan Airlines Co Ltd fell more than 5% in early trading. Oil prices surged about 7%, compounding pressure on the sector. What’s Happening Key developments: Key hubs including Dubai and Doha closed for a third day Thousands of flights disrupted Tanker damage reported in the Middle East Brent crude climbed to multi-month highs According to VariFlight data, mainland Chinese airlines cancelled 26.5% of flights to and from the Middle East for March 2–8. Share Price Reaction Qantas fell as much as 10.4% at open ANA Holdings Inc  dropped over 4% Air China Ltd ,  China Southern Airlines Co Ltd  and  China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd  each slid at least 4% AirAsia X Bhd  also declined Even carriers n...

Indonesia’s central bank has stepped up monitoring of financial markets as geopolitical escalation in the Middle East triggers renewed risk-off flows across emerging markets. The rupiah weakened as much as 0.45% to 16,835 per US dollar during Monday trading. What Bank Indonesia Said Bank Indonesia  said it will: Closely monitor market movements Ensure the rupiah moves in line with fundamentals Remain active in the foreign exchange market Improve effectiveness of interest-rate policy transmission Interventions will include: Spot market operations Onshore non-deliverable forwards (NDF) Offshore NDF transactions The move comes after escalation following the US attack on Iran triggered global risk aversion. Money Master Take This is a pre-emptive credibility defence, not a panic response. 1. Central Bank Is Signalling Presence Early By announcing readiness to intervene: Bank Indonesia is anchoring expectations It is discouraging speculative attacks It is limiting disorderly currency mo...

Emerging-market assets came under pressure as escalating tensions involving Iran triggered a surge in oil prices and renewed demand for safe havens. A broad gauge of developing-nation currencies fell 0.5%, marking a second straight session of declines, while emerging-market equities dropped as much as 1%, the sharpest fall in over two weeks. Brent crude surged to its highest level in more than a year amid fears of supply disruption. What’s Driving the Move Key developments: Rising geopolitical tension in Iran Threat of disruption to the Strait of Hormuz Brent crude jumping above US$70, with upside risk US dollar and gold strengthening The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of global oil flows, making it a critical chokepoint for energy markets. According to Bloomberg Economics, oil could surge toward US$108 per barrel if the strait were effectively closed. Money Master Take This is an oil-driven macro shock — and EM is the first casualty. 1. Oil Importers Are Most Vulnerable Strategi...

  The  Bank of Japan  is preparing markets for further rate hikes as it gradually exits ultra-accommodative policy. Deputy Governor  Ryozo Himino  said the central bank is likely to continue raising interest rates to move toward a more neutral stance, although timing will depend on incoming data. What He Actually Said Key points from Himino’s speech: Past rate hikes have had limited impact on the economy Underlying inflation is rising steadily Inflation gap vs 2% target is slightly negative but narrowing Policy remains accommodative for now Future hikes will be gradual and data-dependent Markets are currently pricing a move to 1.0% from 0.75% as early as March or April. Money Master Take This is not just about Japan’s next rate hike. It’s about the end of policy exceptionalism. 1. Japan Is Normalising — Slowly After ending its decade-long stimulus in 2024, the BOJ is now: Transitioning from emergency support Testing neutral rate territory Allowing market forces ...

Malaysian equities opened sharply lower on March 2 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East compounded fresh US tariff concerns, triggering broad risk-off moves across Asia. The  FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI  fell as much as 32.33 points, or nearly 2%, before trimming losses to trade around 1,698, down about 1% by mid-morning. What’s Driving the Selloff Key catalysts: US-Israel strike on Iran escalated regional tensions Oil tankers reportedly attacked near the Strait of Hormuz Roughly 20% of global oil supply flows through the chokepoint Brent crude jumped over 5% to US$76.61 US dollar strengthened, pressuring regional currencies including the ringgit According to  Hong Leong Investment Bank , the conflict could create near-term US dollar strength and ringgit weakness, weighing on local equities. Index Movers Major decliners included: MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Bhd  -4% Malayan Banking Bhd  -1.8% Broader market breadth was weak, with losers outnumbering gainers nearly f...