KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday, even as utilities, healthcare, and financial services sectors saw increased buying interest following the release of Malaysia’s second-quarter (2Q) gross domestic product (GDP) data. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slid 7.32 points to 1,727.39 compared with Thursday’s close of 1,734.71. The benchmark index opened 0.01 of a point higher at 1,734.72 and fluctuated between 1,726.77 and 1,734.72 throughout the day. On the broader market, losers trounced gainers 619 to 538, while 554 counters were unchanged, 1,117 untraded and 29 suspended. Turnover eased to 3.50 billion units valued at RM2.59 billion from 3.51 billion units valued at RM3.05 billion on Thursday. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said FBM KLCI closed lower despite Malaysia’s stronger-than-expected 6.0 per cent GDP growth in 2Q 2026, underscoring the market’s forward-looki...
Summary Markets and diplomats were bracing for escalation — then came the reversal. Within hours of arriving in Davos, US President Donald Trump abruptly softened his stance on Greenland, shelving tariff threats against Europe and ruling out the use of force. The pivot eased market stress but underscored how policy volatility has become a central risk factor for investors . What Changed — And Why Trump’s about-face followed intense back-channel talks with European leaders and NATO officials, including Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz . Europe presented a united front, pairing security concessions with warnings about damage to NATO unity if tensions spiraled. After meeting Rutte, Trump announced he had formed a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland and called off planned tariffs on European nations that had been set to begin next month. What the Emerging Framework Looks Like...