KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended at its intraday low on Thursday as investor sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing foreign outflows, although the recent weakness may present bargain-hunting opportunities in fundamentally sound blue-chip counters. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 9.33 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 1,708.36, from yesterday’s close of 1,717.69. The benchmark index, which opened 3.74 points higher at 1,721.43, hit an intraday high of 1,722.50 in early trade before losing momentum for the rest of the day. Market breadth was negative, with losers outpacing gainers 656 to 508, while 565 counters were unchanged, 989 untraded and 32 suspended. Turnover fell to 3.49 billion units worth RM3.70 billion compared with 4.15 billion units worth RM4.29 billion on Wednesday.
The US is taking a dual-track approach toward Iran, combining potential sanctions relief with aggressive tariff threats on countries supplying weapons, adding another layer of uncertainty to global trade and geopolitics.
Mixed Signals: Diplomacy and Escalation
Donald Trump indicated that Washington is open to discussing tariff and sanctions relief with Iran, acknowledging a key demand from Tehran as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
This marks a notable shift, as Iran has been under heavy economic sanctions since 2018, following the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.
At the same time, Trump issued a stark warning: countries providing military support to Iran could face 50% tariffs on all exports to the US.
Tariff Threat Faces Legal Constraints
Despite the strong rhetoric, the administration’s ability to implement such tariffs immediately is uncertain.
A recent US Supreme Court ruling limits the president’s authority to impose tariffs under emergency powers, potentially delaying or constraining enforcement.
This raises questions about whether the tariff threat is a negotiation tactic rather than an imminent policy shift.
Ceasefire Efforts Still Unclear
The developments come after Trump announced a ceasefire agreement with Iran, though details remain limited.
The US has also proposed working with Iran to remove nuclear materials and halt uranium enrichment, but it is unclear whether Tehran has agreed to these terms.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military tensions alongside diplomatic signals.
Market and Economic Implications
The policy mix could have significant implications:
- Trade risks may increase, especially for countries with ties to Iran
- Potential sanctions relief could ease oil supply concerns, lowering energy prices
- However, tariff threats could disrupt global supply chains and raise costs
Markets are likely to remain highly sensitive to geopolitical headlines, given the uncertainty around both policy direction and implementation.
Investor Takeaways
- The US is considering sanctions relief for Iran, signaling potential de-escalation.
- At the same time, Trump threatened 50% tariffs on countries supplying weapons to Iran.
- Legal constraints may limit immediate tariff implementation, reducing near-term impact.
- The situation reflects a blend of diplomacy and escalation, increasing market uncertainty.
- Outcomes will influence oil prices, global trade flows, and risk sentiment.
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