KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
Quick Summary China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the ninth straight month 1-year LPR stays at 3.0% , 5-year LPR at 3.5% Authorities prefer targeted tools over broad rate cuts Growth expected to slow to 4.5% in 2026 What Happened China left its benchmark Loan Prime Rates (LPRs) unchanged in February: 1-year LPR: 3.0% 5-year LPR: 3.5% The decision marks the ninth consecutive month of steady rates , suggesting policymakers are not in a hurry to roll out fresh broad-based stimulus . The rates are set by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) . Why No Immediate Cuts? While China hit its ~5% growth target in 2025 , largely thanks to strong exports, several headwinds persist: Structural imbalances Industrial overcapacity Weak domestic consumption Rising geopolitical tensions A Reuters poll forecasts growth slowing to 4.5% in 2026 . Key point: Policymakers appear to be conserving policy ...