KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia extended its losing streak for a fourth consecutive session, closing lower on Thursday amid continued broad-based selling that weighed on market sentiment, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slid 9.23 points or 0.57 per cent to 1,585.96 from Wednesday's close of 1,595.19. The benchmark index opened 3.61 points lower at 1,591.58 and fluctuated between an intraday low of 1,583.66 and a high of 1,592.89 throughout the day. Market breadth remained negative with losers thumping gainers 799 to 318, while 476 counters were unchanged, 1,181 untraded and 13 suspended. Turnover climbed to 3.06 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.90 billion units valued at RM2.33 billion.
Malaysia’s electrical and electronics (E&E) exports are on course to surpass the record RM601.2 billion in 2024 , underpinned by strong semiconductor demand, despite uncertainties over potential US tariffs of up to 100% on chip imports. From Jan–July 2025 , E&E exports rose 17.3% YoY to RM391 billion, with July alone contributing RM63 billion, up 23% YoY. Semiconductors accounted for RM437.5 billion of 2024’s exports, with RM56.2 billion bound for the US. Industry Views: AI Boom vs Policy Uncertainty Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) president Datuk Seri SH Wong noted that exports could beat 2024 levels, barring policy shocks: “The sector could do better than 2024… However, the threat of 100% tariffs on semiconductors from countries without US chip production plans has introduced uncertainty.” The AI-driven boom is expected to fuel 11.2% global semiconductor growth in 2025 , benefiting Malaysia as a key suppl...