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.
JPMorgan strategist Gabriela Santos Aliaga urges investors to adopt a defensive, diversified stance as market risks rise amid a potential prolonged trade war and shifting macro conditions. Market Outlook: A Volatile Crossroads With President Trump’s "Liberation Day" tariffs set to trigger a broader trade confrontation, JPMorgan sees this moment as the beginning, not the end , of multi-front economic disruption. Aliaga likens the environment to an unpredictable spring day: investors need an "all-weather" portfolio that can adapt to varying macro shocks. Sector Rotation Underway Big tech is facing valuation pressure as investors de-risk. Capital is flowing into energy, materials, utilities, and financials —sectors seen as more resilient in a protectionist climate. AI remains a long-term structural theme, but near-term uncertainty is clouding conviction around semiconductors and software earnings. Fixed Income Back in Focus JPMorgan is...