KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday as investors continued to accumulate blue-chip stocks in line with stronger performances across most regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.50 points to 1,724.90 from yesterday’s close of 1,720.40. The benchmark index opened 0.83 of a point higher at 1,721.23, and moved between 1,715.67 and 1,730.12 throughout the day. The broader market was positive with gainers outpacing losers 707 to 402, while 547 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 56 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.03 billion units valued at RM3.56 billion from 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion on Thursday.
Manufacturing activity across Asia remained in expansion territory in March , but signs of slowing momentum are emerging as rising energy prices from the Middle East conflict begin to weigh on the region. Growth Holds, but Momentum Weakens S&P Global data showed that several economies, including South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand , recorded improved factory activity. Thailand led the region with a PMI of 54.1 Malaysia returned to expansion after a prior contraction South Korea also showed strong improvement However, the broader ASEAN Manufacturing PMI slipped to 51.8 , down from February’s 53.8 , marking the slowest pace of expansion since September . While still above the 50-point threshold , the data highlights a clear loss of growth momentum . War-Driven Energy Shock Weighs on Industry The slowdown comes as the US-Israel conflict with Iran disrupts energy markets , particularly via the Strait of ...