KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended the first half of the 2026 trading year on a softer note, following a range-bound trading session as investors remained cautious amid the lack of fresh domestic catalysts. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said regional equities finished broadly higher, supported by stronger-than-expected business activity data from China and continued strength in technology stocks. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.85 points to 1,664.06 from Monday’s close of 1,665.91. The index opened 1.37 points higher at 1,667.28 and fluctuated between an intraday low of 1,661.80 and a high of 1,669.88 throughout the day. Market breadth was positive, with gainers outnumbering decliners 562 to 415, while 589 counters were unchanged, 1,124 untraded, and 79 suspended.
Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as investors adopted a wait-and-see approach ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision , while ongoing tensions in the Middle East continued to shape the broader inflation outlook. Gold Under Pressure Ahead of Fed Guidance Spot gold declined 0.4% to US$4,984 per ounce , slipping below the key US$5,000 level , while US gold futures showed a similar drop. The near-term direction for gold is increasingly tied to Fed forward guidance , particularly whether policymakers signal: Potential rate cuts later this year , or A shift toward prolonged higher interest rates Higher interest rates typically weigh on gold , as they increase the appeal of yield-bearing assets. Geopolitical Risks Provide Underlying Support Despite the pullback, gold continues to draw support from elevated geopolitical risks , particularly the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US. The Strait of Hormuz remains large...