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KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Monday as investors turned cautious, with profit-taking emerging in selected heavyweights, amid rising global bond yields and ahead of the US inflation release. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 4.17 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 1,708.50 from Friday’s close of 1,712.67. The benchmark index opened 1.24 points lower at 1,711.43 and moved between 1,705.94 and 1,713.50 throughout the session. Market breadth was negative, with losers outpacing gainers 619 to 419, while 565 counters were unchanged, 1,095 untraded and 59 suspended. Turnover fell to 3.06 billion units worth RM3.17 billion compared with 3.68  billion units worth RM3.58 billion on Friday. 

Singapore’s economy delivered a strong upside surprise in 1Q2026, supported by  robust AI-driven demand , even as authorities flagged  rising risks from Middle East tensions and global trade uncertainty . GDP Growth Exceeds Forecasts Singapore’s economy expanded: +6.0% YoY in 1Q2026  (vs 5.7% in 4Q2025) Above forecasts of  ~5.2% (Bloomberg)  and  4.6% (Reuters) On a quarter-on-quarter basis: +1.0% QoQ , beating expectations of a contraction This reflects  strong underlying economic momentum , particularly in tech-related sectors. AI Demand Drives Key Sectors Growth was largely supported by  AI-related investments , boosting: Electronics and precision engineering Machinery and equipment trade Wholesale trade segment ( +11.7% YoY ) The government expects  AI semiconductor demand to remain strong , anchoring industrial growth. Sector Performance Mixed Key sector highlights: Manufacturing : +7.9% (slower vs 11.4% previously) Construction : +11.8%...

Asian markets advanced sharply as  renewed optimism over a US-Iran deal  boosted risk sentiment, driving equities higher while  oil prices fell significantly . Equities Gain as Risk Sentiment Improves The  MSCI Asia-Pacific Index  rose  1.2% , led by strong gains in Japan: Nikkei 225   +3% to record high Broad gains across Asia supported by  lower inflation expectations Meanwhile, US markets remained strong, with  S&P 500  futures rising  0.7% , extending an  eight-week winning streak . Oil Prices Slide on Supply Recovery Hopes Crude oil dropped sharply as prospects improved for reopening the  Strait of Hormuz : Brent crude fell over 4% to ~US$99/barrel Signs of  shipping activity resuming  in the region Lower oil prices are easing concerns over  energy-driven inflation , a key overhang for global markets. Dollar Weakens, Gold Gains The  US dollar declined  against major peers, reflecting a shi...

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday as bargain hunting resurfaced following several weak trading sessions.  At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.31 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 1,712.67, from yesterday’s close of 1,708.36. The benchmark index, which opened 3.35 points higher at 1,711.71, moved in a narrow range between 1,710.30 and 1,715.71 throughout the session. Market breadth was positive, with gainers outpacing losers 629 to 539, while 540 counters were unchanged, 1,010 untraded and 64 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.68 billion units worth RM3.58 billion compared with 3.49 billion units worth RM3.70 billion on Thursday.

Gold prices edged lower as  a stronger US dollar and rising expectations of interest rate hikes  reduced the appeal of the non-yielding metal. Gold Under Pressure from Dollar Strength Spot gold declined  0.3% to US$4,527 per ounce , extending a modest weekly loss. The weakness comes as the  US dollar holds near a six-week high , making gold: More expensive for foreign investors Less attractive relative to  yield-bearing assets Rising Rate Expectations Weigh on Sentiment Markets are increasingly pricing in tighter monetary policy: ~60% probability of a Fed rate hike by December Elevated oil prices are fueling  inflation concerns , which may force the  Federal Reserve  to  keep rates higher for longer . Higher interest rates typically: Increase  opportunity cost of holding gold Strengthen the  US dollar , further pressuring prices Oil and Geopolitics Drive Inflation Risks Oil prices remain elevated amid uncertainty in  US-Iran ne...

Shares of  PETRONAS Chemicals  rose after a return to profitability in 1Q, though analysts remain  cautious on the sustainability of the recovery . Share Price Rises on Earnings Turnaround The stock gained  4.2% to RM5.68 , extending a strong rally of nearly  92% since late February . The rebound was driven by: Higher petrochemical prices Improved  product spreads Stronger  sales volumes However, these gains were largely supported by  supply disruptions linked to Middle East tensions , rather than structural demand recovery. Analysts Divided on Outlook Sentiment remains mixed among research houses: 9 ‘buy’ ,  9 ‘hold’ ,  1 ‘sell’  recommendation Average target price: RM6.08 (~7% upside) While earnings forecasts have been revised higher, many analysts maintain  neutral stances  due to lingering risks. Operational and Demand Risks Persist Key concerns highlighted by analysts include: Lower utilisation rates  expected in...

Singapore markets opened slightly higher as  AI-driven policy initiatives and corporate developments  shaped investor sentiment, while global markets found support from easing oil prices and diplomatic progress. Singapore Shares Edge Higher The  FTSE Singapore Straits Times Index  rose  0.15% to 5,053.38 , supported by: Positive global cues Improving sentiment from  US-Iran diplomatic progress Market breadth remained constructive with  advancers outpacing decliners . Wall Street Hits Record Highs US equities extended gains: Dow Jones Industrial Average   record high S&P 500   +0.17% Nasdaq Composite   +0.09% The rally was supported by  falling oil prices  and optimism around  Middle East negotiations . Singapore Accelerates Practical AI Adoption Singapore is shifting focus from AI hype to  real-world implementation , especially among SMEs. Key initiatives include: Partnerships to  drive enterprise AI adoption...

Asian equities advanced for a second straight session, driven by  broadening gains in AI-linked sectors , even as  rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions  capped upside momentum. Tech and AI Stocks Lead Regional Gains The  MSCI Asia-Pacific Index  climbed  0.8% , putting markets on track for a  weekly gain . Key highlights: Nikkei 225   +2.7% (regional leader) SoftBank Group   +13%  on Arm-related strength Lenovo  hit a  26-year high The rally reflects  continued investor rotation into AI beneficiaries , beyond just leading chipmakers. AI Theme Expands Beyond Semiconductors Markets are increasingly pricing in  second-order AI beneficiaries , including: Memory and hardware suppliers Robotics and automation players Broader  enterprise adoption of AI solutions This signals a shift from  core infrastructure (chips)  to  downstream applications , supporting a wider range of stocks. Oil Rebounds, Li...

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.

Singapore is stepping up efforts to attract global capital, as  Singapore Exchange  partners with  Bloomberg  to  enhance visibility and accessibility of local equities . Strategic Push to Attract Global Investors The partnership focuses on: Expanding investor outreach Improving  research distribution Enhancing  market transparency and engagement A key initiative will make  equity research under MAS programmes available on the Bloomberg Terminal , increasing exposure to  global institutional investors . Improving Corporate Standards and Investor Relations The collaboration will also introduce: Training frameworks for listed companies Best practices in  data quality and disclosures Investor relations enhancement programmes C-suite roundtables and training sessions will be held both  locally and internationally , aiming to strengthen connections between companies and investors. Strong Market Activity Supports Initiative The move comes...

Malaysia will see  higher fuel prices  for the week of May 21–27, reflecting the continued impact of  elevated global oil prices driven by geopolitical tensions . Fuel Prices Increase Across Key Categories The Ministry of Finance announced the following adjustments: RON97:  +15 sen to  RM4.85/litre Unsubsidised RON95:  +20 sen to  RM4.07/litre Diesel (Peninsular):  +10 sen to  RM4.97/litre The increases highlight the  pass-through effect of global crude price spikes  into domestic fuel costs. Oil Prices Remain Elevated Global energy markets continue to face pressure: Brent crude ~US$110 per barrel Up nearly  60% from pre-conflict levels (~US$70) The prolonged Middle East conflict has: Disrupted  supply routes Increased  shipping and insurance costs Added  inflationary pressure globally Subsidies Cushion Impact for Consumers Despite rising market prices, government subsidies remain in place: Subsidised RON95: ...

The Federal Reserve is increasingly leaning toward  policy tightening , with a majority of officials indicating that  interest rate hikes remain on the table  if inflation continues to exceed target levels. Fed Minutes Reveal Shift Toward Tightening Bias Minutes from the April meeting of the  Federal Reserve  show that: Most policymakers are open to further rate hikes Inflation remains  persistently above the 2% target Policy may need to become  more restrictive if price pressures continue This marks a clear shift from earlier expectations of  rate cuts in 2026 . Markets Reprice Rate Expectations Following the release of the minutes: Investors are now  pricing in at least one rate hike this year Expectations have shifted sharply from earlier projections of easing The change reflects growing concern that  inflation is proving more stubborn than anticipated . Labour Market Strength Complicates Policy Outlook The Fed’s stance is supported b...

Global investors are  rotating back into Chinese equities , with April inflows hitting their highest level in months as sentiment improves on the back of  AI-driven optimism and stabilising geopolitical concerns . Strong Foreign Inflows Signal Renewed Interest Foreign investors poured approximately  200 billion yuan (US$29 billion)  into mainland equities in April, which is the  largest inflow since January . The data suggests a  clear rebound in overseas appetite , following earlier outflows triggered by the Iran war. Proxy Data Highlights Capital Movement With limited official disclosure on direct flows, analysts rely on  cross-border investment balance data  to estimate foreign participation. This method strips out: Bond flows Trading link transactions Institutional reallocations Leaving a  reliable proxy for foreign equity inflows into China . AI Rally Drives Market Performance The rebound in flows coincided with a strong equity rally: CS...

Malaysia’s market saw  mixed signals , with strong corporate earnings and record trade data offset by  continued weakness in equities  amid cautious investor sentiment. Wall Street Rally Led by AI Momentum US markets surged on the back of strong tech performance: S&P 500   +1.08% (record high) Nasdaq Composite   +1.54% Dow Jones Industrial Average   +1.31% Nvidia  remained in focus after  beating revenue expectations  and announcing an  US$80 billion share buyback , reinforcing AI-driven optimism. KLCI Falls for Sixth Straight Session The  FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index  declined  0.55% , extending its losing streak to  six consecutive sessions . Market breadth was weak ( 840 losers vs 366 gainers ) Losses were led by  PETRONAS-linked stocks Sentiment remains cautious amid  regional weakness and geopolitical risks Malaysia Trade Hits Record High Malaysia’s external trade delivered a strong macro boost: T...

Global equities rebounded as  strong AI-driven earnings from Nvidia and easing supply risks at Samsung  boosted investor confidence, helping markets recover from recent losses. AI Momentum Drives Market Rebound Stocks rallied across regions following upbeat results from  Nvidia : S&P 500   +1.1% Nasdaq Composite   +1.5% Nvidia’s  better-than-expected revenue outlook  reinforced the view that  AI demand remains strong , supporting the broader semiconductor sector. Asian Markets Snap Losing Streak The  MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Index  rose  1.2% , ending a four-day decline. Key movers: Kospi   +4% Nikkei 225   +1.9% Australia equities  +1.5% The rebound reflects  renewed risk appetite driven by AI optimism . Samsung Strike Suspension Eases Supply Concerns Samsung Electronics  surged over  6%  after its union  suspended planned industrial action . Avoids disruption involving  ~48,000 wo...