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.
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...