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.
US equities staged a strong rebound at the end of March, driven by falling oil prices and growing optimism that the Middle East conflict may be nearing an end . Stocks Surge as Risk Sentiment Improves The S&P 500 Index jumped 2.9% , while the Nasdaq Composite Index surged 3.8% , marking the largest rally since May . The rebound reflects a shift in sentiment after weeks of volatility, as investors begin to price in a potential diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Cyclical sectors led gains: Airline stocks rallied sharply , benefiting from lower fuel costs Energy stocks declined , tracking the pullback in oil prices Oil Falls, Easing Inflation Concerns Oil prices retreated from recent highs, with US crude falling to around US$101 per barrel , helping ease fears of prolonged inflation pressure. The decline extended gains in Treasuries , while the US dollar weakened and gold prices rose , indicat...