MONEY MASTER

Bursa Malaysia closed higher on Monday, with gains seen across most major indices despite lingering global tariff uncertainty. Bursa Malaysia Key Indices FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI : 1,757.98  (+0.29%) YTD:  +4.63% FBM Mid 70 : 17,818.17 (+0.41%) YTD:  +6.04% FBM Small Cap : 16,050.06 (+0.17%) YTD:  +1.76% FBM ACE : 4,848.68 (+0.55%) YTD:  -0.50% Mid-cap names continue to outperform year-to-date. Trading Activity Latest Trading Day vs Previous Total Volume: 2.468 billion units (vs 2.031 billion) Total Value: RM2.649 billion (vs RM2.197 billion) Gainers:  583 (vs 380) Losers:  521 (vs 702) Unchanged:  537 (vs 519) Market breadth improved, with gainers outpacing decliners compared to the previous session. Ringgit Performance (as at 5:15pm) USD/MYR:  3.8923 YTD:  +4.31% SGD/MYR:  3.0768 YTD:  +2.60% The ringgit remains firmer year-to-date against major regional currencies. Market Takeaway Broad-based gains across large, mid and smal...

The  FTSE Straits Times Index  saw selective strength on Monday, with shipbuilding and engineering names leading advances despite ongoing global tariff uncertainty. STI Top Gainers 1️⃣  Yangzijiang Shipbuilding  (BS6) S$3.86 +3.49% Strongest performer of the day 2️⃣  ST Engineering  (S63) S$10.44 +2.55% 3️⃣  Jardine Matheson Holdings  (J36) S$80.16 +2.44% 4️⃣  Hongkong Land  (H78) S$8.71 +2.35% 5️⃣  Seatrium Ltd  (5E2) S$2.21 +2.31% STI Top Losers 1️⃣  Genting Singapore  (G13) S$0.79 -2.47% 2️⃣  Wilmar International  (F34) S$3.53 -1.40% 3️⃣  Thai Beverage  (Y92) S$0.475 -1.04% 4️⃣  DFI Retail Group  (D01) S$4.17 -0.95% 5️⃣  Singtel  (Z74) S$5.02 -0.40% REITs Movers Top Gainers 1️⃣  Lippo Malls Indonesia Retail Trust  (D5IU) S$0.008 +14.29%  (Notable spike) 2️⃣  DigiCore REIT  (DCRU) +1.92% 3️⃣  CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust  (C38U) +1....

Key Takeaway: China’s legislature is reviewing its first foreign trade law revision in 21 years, aimed at bolstering legal authority for countermeasures in escalating trade conflicts. The update signals Beijing’s readiness to deploy a wider toolkit — from trade bans to supply-chain support — as global tariff barriers intensify. Stronger Countermeasure Powers The draft revision would allow restrictions on foreign individuals or firms deemed a threat to China’s sovereignty and security. It also proposes a “trade adjustment assistance” system to cushion supply-chain disruptions. Analysts note that open-ended language could formalize tools China has already used, such as export controls and investigations into foreign companies. Rising Trade Frictions The move comes as trade tensions flare globally. Washington and Beijing extended a 90-day tariff truce in August, but frictions remain after the U.S. imposed sweeping duties on Chinese goods. Separately, Beijing introduced anti-dumping duties...

Trump’s Global Tariff Blitz Triggers Market Jitters, Opens Door for Negotiation President Donald Trump has reignited global trade tensions by announcing a sweeping set of tariff letters targeting countries across Asia and Africa—yet stopped short of making them final. In a Monday announcement, Trump threatened tariffs as high as 40% on select imports, including from key trading partners Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. However, he extended a three-week negotiation window until August 1, signaling openness to revised deals. Key Tariff Targets 25% tariffs : Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Tunisia 30% : South Africa, Bosnia 35%-36% : Thailand, Cambodia, Serbia, Bangladesh 40% : Laos, Myanmar These rates could disrupt everything from consumer electronics to automotive and commodity flows, especially for countries like Japan and South Korea—major exporters of cars and steel to the U.S. Markets React S&P 500  fell 0.8% Nasdaq 100  also down 0.8% Japanese aut...

Trade Talk Update: Deadline May Not Be Doomsday The White House has signaled that the much-anticipated  July 9 deadline for global tariff deals  might be  flexible , easing fears of an immediate trade war escalation. White House Press Secretary  Karoline Leavitt  stated Thursday that President Trump could  extend the deadline  if necessary, noting, “The deadline is not critical… the president can simply provide these countries with the deal if they refuse to make us one.” So far, the administration has: Finalized a  tariff pact with the UK Reached a  trade truce with China Ongoing negotiations with a dozen more nations Why It Matters for Markets Global markets have been jittery about the July 9 date, when the U.S. could reimpose  reciprocal tariffs as high as 50% if deals aren't struck. The news that  the deadline may be extended  relieves some near-term pressure and  gives investors breathing room . MoneyMaster Take: The ...