KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
Japanese equities opened lower on Friday, tracking the overnight decline on Wall Street, as fresh inflation data increased expectations that the Bank of Japan may move ahead with a rate hike in December. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.1% , dropping 572.7 points to open at 49,251.26 , with traders reducing risk exposure amid rising price pressures and shifting global sentiment. Adding to market caution, the Japanese government is preparing a ¥17.7 trillion stimulus package , Bloomberg reported on Thursday, aimed at supporting households and businesses as the economy adjusts to sustained inflation and the likelihood of higher borrowing costs. A more positive note came from S&P Global’s flash PMI , which showed Japan’s private-sector output hitting a three-month high , supported by firm business confidence. However, the report also highlighted accelerating cost pressures, keeping inflation concerns in focus. Geopolitical tensions added anoth...