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 Forecasts Policy Rate : Riksbank expected to cut 50bps this year to 1.5% by November (vs. previous forecast of 1.75%). Growth Outlook : 2025 GDP revised down to 1.0% (from 1.5% prior). Growth seen accelerating to 2.3% in 2026 , easing to 2.2% in 2027 . Unemployment : Projected to decline gradually from 8.7% (2025) → 7.9% (2027) . Macro Context Exports hit : US tariff hikes weighing on Swedish exporters like Volvo Cars , delaying recovery momentum. Riksbank signal : Central bank has already hinted a cut from the current 2.0% rate before year-end remains “on the table.” Policy support needed : Swedbank stresses that stable growth requires both monetary and fiscal stimulus. Rate Path Outlook 2025 : Cut to 1.5% by Nov . 2026 : Rate held steady at 1.5% . 2027 : Modest hike back to 1.75% as economy stabilizes. Investor Takeaway Bonds : Lower rate path supportive for Swedish fixed income,...