KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
The SGD is under pressure — and August could bring more headwinds. As the US ramps up tariff threats on pharma and semiconductors — two of Singapore’s top exports — and with speculation mounting that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) could ease its currency policy this month, the SGD may face further downside. Key Takeaways: S GD may slide to S$1.30 vs. USD in the near term Trump’s new tariffs (possibly by Aug 1 ) could weigh heavily on SG exports June core inflation data (out July 23) expected at only +0.7% , reinforcing easing case MAS may flatten the S$NEER slope by 50bps to 0%, capping SGD strength With S$NEER near the top of the band , flattening = weaker SGD vs trading partners Experts Say: “The tariff uncertainty could add to growth headwinds for Singapore in H2.” — Moh Siong Sim, Bank of Singapore “We expect MAS to ease policy this month... the bias is for further SGD we...