KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended marginally lower on Monday, as investors largely stayed on the sidelines and adopted a wait-and-see approach amid uncertainties over US monetary policy and geopolitical developments, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.38 of a point to 1,735.37 compared with last Friday’s close of 1,735.75. The index opened 0.10 of a point higher at 1,735.85 and fluctuated between 1,730.35 and 1,738.97 throughout the day. However, on the broader market, gainers thumped losers 707 to 447, while 573 counters were unchanged, 1,046 untraded and 21 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 3.49 billion units valued at RM2.55 billion from 3.55 billion units valued at RM3.47 billion last Friday.
Asian banks’ record lending surge into the Gulf is facing a major stress test as escalating tensions involving Iran threaten broader financial instability across the Middle East. Record Lending Now Under Pressure Asian and Chinese banks extended over US$15 billion in loans to the Middle East in 2025 , triple the previous year and the highest on record, according to Bloomberg-compiled data. Most of the financing flowed into: Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates The region has become a key destination for Asian capital as Gulf states push forward with large-scale economic transformation and infrastructure projects. Key Point: A record US$15 billion Gulf lending boom is now at risk due to escalating geopolitical tensions. Conflict Raises Financial Uncertainty The latest escalation — involving US and Israeli missile strikes on Iran — has heightened concerns that the conflict could disrupt capital flows and reshape regional lending strategies. Economists suggest banks may: Tighten exposur...