KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday as investors continued to accumulate blue-chip stocks in line with stronger performances across most regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.50 points to 1,724.90 from yesterday’s close of 1,720.40. The benchmark index opened 0.83 of a point higher at 1,721.23, and moved between 1,715.67 and 1,730.12 throughout the day. The broader market was positive with gainers outpacing losers 707 to 402, while 547 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 56 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.03 billion units valued at RM3.56 billion from 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion on Thursday.
The US dollar index slipped 0.13% to 98.77 on Wednesday, ending a four-day winning streak as traders turned cautious before the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting . The pullback comes after a sharp rally driven by the US-EU trade deal earlier this week. Markets Await Powell and Jobs Data Investors are focused on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks amid ongoing tensions with the White House. A September rate cut remains the base case , but upcoming economic data, including Friday’s US jobs report, will be critical in shaping expectations. The Fed is widely expected to keep rates unchanged at this meeting. “Markets will be paying attention to Powell’s tone and any signs of internal dissent within the committee,” said Julien Lafargue of Barclays Private Bank. Euro and Yen Move The euro rose 0.15% to US$1.1562 , bouncing from a one-month low. Despite gaining 11.9% year-to-date , it is on track for its first monthly decline since ...