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.
Key Takeaways Shutdown resolution lifts sentiment : U.S. House passes bill ending the record shutdown; Trump expected to sign it. Stocks near record highs : Global indices steady after a four-day rally in the S&P 500. Fed uncertainty persists : Lack of economic data clouds rate-cut outlook ahead of the December FOMC meeting. Oil under pressure : Brent near US$62 after OPEC says supply has outpaced demand. Currency watch : Yen trades near 155; Japan issues new warning against sharp moves. Australia jobs surprise : Strong data curbs expectations for near-term RBA rate cuts. Global equities steadied near record highs as optimism over the end of the U.S. government shutdown lifted sentiment, though investors remained cautious amid limited economic data that has clouded the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook . The MSCI All Country World Index and Asian shares fluctuated between small gains and losses, while S&P 500 futures ed...