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.
Japan’s exports rose for the first time in five months in September, lifted by a weak yen that offset ongoing US tariff pressures. However, economists warned that the recovery may be short-lived as the effects of recent tariff changes continue to ripple through key industries. Exports Boosted by Yen Weakness Total exports increased 4.2% year-on-year in September, ending a four-month slump. The gain came slightly below economists’ forecast of a 4.6% rise and followed a 0.1% decline in August. Analysts attributed the improvement largely to the yen’s depreciation, which made Japanese goods cheaper overseas. Despite the rebound, shipments to the United States plunged 13.3% , marking the sixth straight month of decline. Auto exports fell 24.2% , while chipmaking equipment exports dropped 45.7% . Exports to China , by contrast, rose 5.8% , supported by stronger demand for vehicles and manufacturing materials. Shipments to the rest of Asia ...