KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
In a surprise comment from the Oval Office, President Trump announced that his administration is "thinking about no tax on capital gains on houses." This could be a game-changer — not just for homeowners, but also for real estate investors and financial planners watching for macro signals. What’s the Proposal? Currently, capital gains from selling your primary residence are already partially exempt ($250K for singles / $500K for married couples). Trump’s remark hints at eliminating all capital gains tax on home sales — potentially extending even beyond those exemptions. Why Does This Matter? Unlocking Housing Liquidity Many long-time homeowners hold off selling to avoid taxes. A full tax exemption could flood the market with high-equity homes, increase turnover, and boost transaction volume. Potential Market Acceleration In a high-interest rate environment, this move may stimulate real estate activity from the supply side — a clever offset to slow Fe...