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.
The US and Taiwan have sealed a landmark trade agreement that strengthens America’s semiconductor ambitions while easing trade barriers for Taiwanese exporters — with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co at the centre of the deal. Under the agreement, Taiwan pledged US$250 billion in US investments , led by TSMC’s plan to expand its semiconductor manufacturing cluster in Arizona . In return, the US will cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% from 20% and grant exemptions to Taiwanese chipmakers that commit to expanding production on American soil. The move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy to onshore critical industries , reduce reliance on overseas supply chains, and de-escalate tariff tensions without derailing economic growth. It also builds on recent trade progress with partners such as the European Union, Japan, and China. TSMC’s dominance in advanced chip manufacturing makes this deal strategically s...