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.
Stable Outlook Backed by Strong Capital Buffers RAM Ratings has reaffirmed its stable outlook on Malaysia’s insurance and takaful industry, citing robust capital positions that provide resilience against market volatility. While persistent medical cost inflation and competitive pricing pressures weigh on earnings, the sector’s solid buffers are expected to help players withstand external uncertainties. “Growth in life/family takaful and non-life segments will likely slow in 2025 amid affordability concerns and lingering cost-of-living pressures. Still, capital buffers are sufficient to absorb potential shocks,” said Sophia Lee , Senior Vice President of Financial Institution Ratings at RAM. Longer-term fundamentals are expected to strengthen as Bank Negara Malaysia’s risk-based capital reforms , slated for 2027 or later, enhance system resilience. Several insurers have already begun managing capital needs ahead of the reforms. Growth Moderation Across Life...