KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended lower on the final trading day of the week, weighed down by the plantation sector as investors locked in gains following its recent strong performance. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 7.03 points 1,708.10, compared with yesterday’s close of 1,715.13. The benchmark index opened 1.39 points lower at 1,713.74 and fluctuated between 1,704.86 and 1,715.20 throughout the day. The broader market was negative with losers outnumbering gainers 568 to 523, while 596 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 19 suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.33 billion units valued at RM2.98 billion from 3.90 billion units valued at RM3.21 billion on Thursday.
Global markets are entering a more volatile phase as investors reassess lofty technology valuations and the sustainability of massive AI-related capital spending. Asian equities traded mixed on Wednesday following a sharp sell-off in global technology and semiconductor shares, while bond markets signaled growing demand for safety amid concerns over economic uncertainty and interest rate expectations. What Changed? Just weeks ago, investors were focused on: AI-driven earnings optimism Falling geopolitical risks Expectations of monetary easing Now, markets are increasingly focused on: Rising AI infrastructure spending Higher-for-longer interest rates Elevated valuations in technology stocks Increased market volatility The result is a shift from momentum-driven buying toward more selective risk-taking. Technology Stocks Under Pressure The latest sell-off was led by technology and semiconductor names after investors began questioning whether current valuations fully reflect future earnings...