KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia rebounded to close higher on Wednesday on selective buying of defensive stocks after a volatile trading session. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said consumer products and services stocks lifted the key index higher, overcoming lingering geopolitical concerns. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 3.08 points to 1,715.56 from yesterday’s close of 1,712.48. The benchmark index, which opened 1.91 points higher at 1,714.39, moved between 1,710.79 and 1,720.59 during the day’s trading. In the broader market, gainers outstripped decliners 550 to 476, while 612 counters were unchanged, 1,129 untraded, and 48 suspended. Turnover rose to 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.48 billion from 2.94 billion units valued at RM2.56 billion on Tuesday.
Sweeping Import Duties Effective Oct 1 President Donald Trump announced a fresh round of tariffs that will take effect on Oct 1 , targeting a wide range of imported goods including pharmaceuticals, building materials, furniture, and heavy trucks. Pharmaceuticals Face 100% Tariff Unless Produced in U.S. Under the new measures, branded and patented drugs will face 100% duties unless their manufacturers have already started or are in the process of building production facilities in the United States. Companies with U.S. facilities under construction will be exempt from the new levy. Trump did not specify under which authority the tariffs are being imposed. Building Materials and Furniture Hit With 50%–30% Tariffs Imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and related products will face 50% tariffs , while upholstered furniture will be subject to 30% tariffs . Trump claimed that foreign suppliers have been “flooding” the U...