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.
Booking Holdings Inc. says inflation continues to weigh on US travel demand , with cost-conscious consumers delaying vacation planning and opting for budget options, CFO Ewout Steenbergen revealed. Key Points: US Consumer Behavior Booking windows remain short in the US, indicating consumers are waiting longer to commit to trips due to economic pressure . Luxury travel demand remains resilient, but lower-income groups are trading down to budget hotels or shortening their trips. Europe Shows Stronger Demand European travelers are booking trips earlier for events like February skiing and Easter vacations , contributing to steady demand . Steenbergen expects US trends to improve as inflation eases and consumers prioritize short getaways over other discretionary spending like new clothes. Travel Industry Moderation Post-pandemic travel growth has cooled, with US demand slower compared ...