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.
The world’s debt surged by over $12 trillion in the first three quarters of 2024, reaching a record $323 trillion , according to a report by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) . The rise reflects increased borrowing fueled by falling borrowing costs and renewed investor risk appetite . Key Insights Debt Drivers and Projections Sovereign debt is expected to grow by one-third by 2028 , reaching nearly $130 trillion , driven by large government budget deficits. Emerging markets debt is nearing $105 trillion , or 245% of GDP , signaling elevated repayment risks. Debt-to-GDP Trends Global debt-to-GDP ratio stands at 326% , down from its pandemic peak but still historically high. Developed markets face the fastest rising debt service costs , exacerbating fiscal pressures. Environmental Costs Meeting global emission reduction targets could add an extra $38 trillion to global debt by 2028. Risks and Challenges Mini Boom-Bust Cycles : Rising trade tensions and supply-chain disr...