KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended lower on the final trading day of the week, weighed down by the plantation sector as investors locked in gains following its recent strong performance. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 7.03 points 1,708.10, compared with yesterday’s close of 1,715.13. The benchmark index opened 1.39 points lower at 1,713.74 and fluctuated between 1,704.86 and 1,715.20 throughout the day. The broader market was negative with losers outnumbering gainers 568 to 523, while 596 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 19 suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.33 billion units valued at RM2.98 billion from 3.90 billion units valued at RM3.21 billion on Thursday.
France has delivered a better-than-expected fiscal performance in 2025 , providing the government with greater room to navigate the economic fallout from the Iran-driven energy shock . Deficit Narrows More Than Expected France’s budget deficit fell to 5.1% of GDP in 2025 , improving from 5.8% in 2024 and beating the government’s 5.4% target . The stronger outcome was driven by: Higher tax revenues Slower growth in public spending This puts the government in a stronger position to meet its 2026 target of 5% deficit , easing pressure after political uncertainty and prior credit rating concerns. Fiscal Relief Comes at a Critical Time The improved fiscal position arrives as Europe faces renewed economic risks from rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions . The Iran conflict is expected to: Push inflation higher Weigh on economic growth Increase government spending pressures France’s stronger fiscal base offers short-term f...