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.
Soybean futures climbed on Monday as dry weather forecasts in Brazil indicate further delays in the start of the planting season for the new soybean crop. Brazil, the world's largest producer of soybeans, is facing ongoing dryness in key regions, which has propped up soybean prices in Chicago. Key Takeaways: Weather-Driven Planting Delays : Dry conditions in Center-West Brazil have pushed back the start of the soybean planting season. According to StoneX chief commodities economist Arlan Suderman, planting will be delayed until the rains return, with forecast models suggesting this may not occur in September. Impact on Soybean Prices : The delay in Brazil’s soybean planting has bolstered soybean futures, supported by modest seasonal buying from China and concerns over continued dryness in key planting areas. Market Uncertainty : The weather-driven delays in Brazil add uncertainty to the global soybean supply, with the potential for further price increases if the dry conditions pers...