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.
As 2024 winds down, global markets are entering a pivotal week filled with data releases and corporate updates that could set the tone for 2025. With inflation figures, earnings reports, and central bank decisions on the horizon, investors have their eyes on key markets from the United States to Southeast Asia. United States: Inflation Data and Earnings in Focus Inflation Report: The US inflation report for November, due on Wednesday, will be the centerpiece of the week. Year-on-year inflation is expected to tick up slightly to 2.7% , while core inflation remains steady at 3.3% . These figures will influence the Federal Reserve's stance as its December meeting approaches, potentially signaling whether the Fed continues its hawkish trajectory or pivots to a more accommodative policy in 2024. Earnings Highlights: Major companies set to report include: Oracle (NYSE: ORCL): Investors are keen on updates about its cloud and AI strategies , which continue to drive grow...