KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended marginally lower on Monday amid selling activity as the market lacked fresh catalysts to spur investors’ buying interest, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.60 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 1,670.02, from Friday’s close of 1,671.62. The benchmark index, which opened 0.93 of-a-point higher at 1,672.55, moved between 1,668.61 and 1,674.11 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was negative as losers surpassed gainers 748 to 388, while 517 counters were unchanged, 1,271 untraded and 91 suspended. Turnover slipped to 3.11 billion units worth RM2.40 billion from 4.07 billion units valued at RM2.69 billion on Friday.
Investment firm DoubleLine has raised concerns over rising US government debt levels, warning that higher debt payments and the possibility of a recession in the next decade could push US debt beyond current forecasts, negatively impacting economic growth. Key Points: Debt and Deficit Concerns: Historical Context: The US government has historically expanded deficit spending during economic downturns. However, since 2016, deficits have increased despite continued economic expansion and low unemployment. Risk of Deeper Deficits: Ryan Kimmel, a macro asset allocation analyst at DoubleLine, highlighted the risk of deeper debt-funded deficits in the event of an economic contraction. Vicious Debt Cycle: Rising Interest Rates: The demand for government bonds may only be enticed through higher interest rates, leading to increased interest expenses. Impact on Growth: Higher interest expenses necessitate higher taxes, which can hinder economic growth and lead to further economic contraction,...