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.
Chinese companies should exercise caution when purchasing US-made chips, as they are "no longer safe," according to a rare coordinated statement from four of China’s leading industry associations. These organizations are urging businesses to prioritize domestic alternatives, marking an escalation in trade hostilities between the world’s two largest economies. The warning follows the latest round of US restrictions on Chinese semiconductor firms, announced Monday, targeting 140 companies, including chip equipment manufacturer Naura Technology Group. This marks the third crackdown on China’s chip industry in as many years. The tensions come as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House in January, vowing to revive tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting a trade war reminiscent of his first term. Industry Bodies Take a Stand The associations represent key Chinese sectors, including telecommunications, semiconductors, and the digital economy, encompassing ...