KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed almost flat on Tuesday as buying interest rotated away from index heavyweights towards smaller-cap construction stocks, with sentiment affected by geopolitical uncertainty, said an analyst. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.39 of a point to 1,714.40 from Monday’s close of 1,714.79. The benchmark index opened 1.65 points lower at 1,713.14 and moved between 1,710.44 and 1,714.50 throughout the trading session. The broader market was almost evenly balanced, with decliners leading gainers 548 to 546, while 598 counters were unchanged, 1,107 were untraded and 25 were suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.13 billion units valued at RM3.14 billion from 3.60 billion units valued at RM2.45 billion on Monday.
Key Takeaway Singapore posted the lowest consumer sentiment score in ASEAN, tied with Thailand, as optimism about the economic outlook fell sharply. The drop highlights Singapore’s sensitivity to global trade headwinds. Index Highlights UOB ASEAN Consumer Sentiment Index (2025) Singapore: 47/100 (lowest, tied with Thailand) Regional average: 54/100 YoY Movement : –10 points (largest decline among surveyed countries) Drivers of Weakness Economic Outlook : –17 points, biggest contributor to the decline. Personal Financial Confidence : –6 points. External Shocks : April 2025 U.S. tariff announcement drove volatility in May–June survey period. Analyst Insights UOB View : Singapore’s trade-dependent economy remains highly exposed to external shifts. Diversified base in manufacturing, logistics, financial services may cushion impact. Behavioral Shift : Despite weaker sentiment, households show resilience with: Higher savings rates Rising insurance cov...