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.
Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers, during their landmark decision to increase interest rates last month, considered additional rate hikes, according to a summary of the discussion released on Thursday. This hawkish shift has contributed to recent global market turmoil. Key Highlights: Potential Rate Increases: One policy board member suggested the central bank should eventually raise its policy rate to around 1% or higher, marking the first time a BOJ policymaker has specified a potential endpoint. July 31st Decision: The BOJ raised its short-term policy target to 0.25%, the highest in 15 years, from a zero-to-0.1% range, and outlined a plan to taper its massive asset purchases, signaling a shift from a decade-long stimulus program. Global Impact: The rate hike and subsequent comments from BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda about potential further increases, coupled with signs that the Federal Reserve might cut US rates, caused a spike in the yen and contributed to global market volatility. Boar...