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.
Global stocks surged on optimism over a possible Ukraine-Russia peace deal , while bond markets sold off as US inflation fears dampened hopes for Fed rate cuts . Meanwhile, oil prices slid and gold remained near record highs as investors weighed the impact of geopolitical and economic uncertainties. 🌍 Stock Markets Gain on Peace Optimism 📈 US & European stock futures rallied on renewed hopes that US-led peace talks could bring an end to the Ukraine-Russia war . 📈 Asia-Pacific markets followed suit , with Japan’s Nikkei up 1.1% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gaining 1% , hitting a four-month high . 💬 Kyle Rodda (Capital.com): "Optimism might be premature. Ukraine may struggle to accept concessions like giving up NATO ambitions and ceding territory." 💰 Inflation & Fed Rate Cut Hopes Fade 📌 US consumer prices rose by the most in nearly 1.5 years in January , with core infla...