KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Wednesday on bargain hunting following the recent sell-off, ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) overnight policy rate (OPR) decision on Thursday. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 8.20 points 1,708.74, compared with Tuesday’s close of 1,700.54. The benchmark index opened 0.42 of a point better at 1,700.96 and fluctuated between 1,695.89 and 1,709.71 throughout the day. On the broader market, losers trounced gainers 746 to 424, while 554 counters were unchanged, 1,048 untraded and 17 suspended. Turnover declined to 4.20 billion units valued at RM3.52 billion from 5.52 billion units valued at RM4.42 billion on Tuesday.
Global markets slipped back into risk-off mode as renewed hostilities between the US and Iran unsettled investors, overshadowing positive economic data and reinforcing geopolitical-driven volatility. Asian Stocks Slide Amid Renewed Tensions The MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan Index fell 0.8% , reflecting broad regional weakness: Nikkei 225 -1.3% Kospi -2.0% The decline follows a sell-off on Wall Street , where the S&P 500 dropped 0.7% . Oil and Geopolitics Drive Market Sentiment Markets were shaken after fresh exchanges of fire between the US and Iran , raising concerns over: Energy supply disruptions Prolonged instability in the Middle East While Brent crude initially surged, it later eased to around US$97 per barrel , reflecting conflicting signals on ceasefire progress . Economic Data Takes a Back Seat Stronger US data failed to lift sentiment: ISM services PMI improved , indicating resilient d...