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.
Key Takeaway: China’s economic indicators are set to show modest growth as government stimulus supports industrial output, retail sales, and housing demand, though the sustainability of recovery remains uncertain. China’s economy is projected to gain momentum in October, with industrial output and retail sales likely rising due to government stimulus introduced in September. Economists forecast industrial production growth of 5.6% and a 3.8% rise in retail sales , supported by a long October holiday that boosted tourism and spending. Despite these improvements, the recovery faces challenges. The housing market remains weak , with property investment down by nearly 10% this year, though recent policies helped boost October home sales by 7.1%. Economists caution that turning these early gains into a sustainable rebound will require effective implementation of fiscal, monetary, and housing measures. October’s Economic Data Highlights: Industrial production: Expected to rise 5.6% ye...