KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday as investors continued to accumulate blue-chip stocks in line with stronger performances across most regional markets. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.50 points to 1,724.90 from yesterday’s close of 1,720.40. The benchmark index opened 0.83 of a point higher at 1,721.23, and moved between 1,715.67 and 1,730.12 throughout the day. The broader market was positive with gainers outpacing losers 707 to 402, while 547 counters were unchanged, 1,085 untraded and 56 suspended. Turnover expanded to 3.03 billion units valued at RM3.56 billion from 2.49 billion units valued at RM2.25 billion on Thursday.
Asian stocks and currencies surged Thursday after US President Donald Trump paused sweeping new tariffs , providing temporary relief that fueled the biggest rally in emerging Asian equities in over two years . Market Highlights: MSCI EM Asia Index: +4% , biggest one-day gain since Nov 2022 ASEAN equities: +5% , best day since the pandemic’s onset Singapore’s STI Index: +9% , after a 15% drop over two weeks Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand benchmarks: Up ~5% Philippines stocks: +2% Ringgit & Rupiah: +0.5% vs USD The Trigger: Trump reversed course just hours after his reciprocal tariffs took effect , introducing a 90-day pause for most countries— excluding China , which now faces a 125% tariff . “The 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs seems to reduce the likelihood that Emerging Asia is headed for its worst GDP outcomes,” said Barclays analysts. But they added: “ The region is not out of the wood...