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...
Asian equities retreated on Friday as investors turned cautious, locking in gains after a strong global rally while awaiting clearer signals on a potential US-Iran ceasefire extension . Regional Stocks Slip After Multi-Day Rally The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index fell 0.8% , snapping a three-day winning streak . Key markets across the region also declined: Topix -1.1% Hang Seng Index -0.8% Shanghai Composite -0.2% The pullback comes after a 10-day global rally that pushed equities to record highs, leaving markets vulnerable to short-term profit-taking . Oil Prices Ease as Ceasefire Hopes Persist Crude prices declined as optimism over diplomacy improved: Brent crude fell 1.1% to ~US$98 per barrel WTI crude dropped 1.6% to ~US$93 per barrel The easing reflects expectations that a ceasefire could reopen the Strait of Hormuz , restoring oil flows and reducing inflation pressures. Markets ...