KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
Indonesian markets came under heavy pressure as escalating Middle East tensions triggered fresh capital outflows, pushing the rupiah to historic lows and sending equities toward bear-market territory. Key Takeaways Rupiah falls past Asian Financial Crisis levels Jakarta Composite Index drops 5%, nearing bear market Oil surge adds inflation pressure to net oil importer Investor confidence already shaken by ratings outlook cuts Rupiah Breaks Historic Support Indonesian rupiah weakened 0.6% to 17,015 per US dollar, slipping below its January record low and breaching levels last seen during the Asian Financial Crisis. The currency is now down 1.8% year-to-date, ranking among Asia’s worst performers. Key Point: The rupiah’s break below crisis-era levels signals deep investor anxiety. Stocks Slide Toward Bear Market Jakarta Composite Index tumbled 5%, putting the benchmark on track to enter a bear market (down 20% from recent highs). Indonesia’s equities are also...