2 days ago
Bursa Opens Lower, Traders Adopt Wait-and-see Approach Ahead Of 2Q GDP Announcement
WORLD
By Durratul Ain Ahmad Fuad
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia opened marginally lower today as traders adopted a wait-and-see approach amid cautious sentiment ahead of the second quarter 2025 (2Q 2025) gross domestic product (GDP) announcement later today.
The announcement will deliver the first substantive read-through on the economic drag arising from recent United States (US) tariff announcements.
At 9.05 am, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) inched down 0.51 of a point to 1,580.54 from yesterday's close of 1,581.05.
The benchmark index opened 0.70 of a point firmer at 1,581.75.
However, the market breadth was positive, with advancers leading decliners 110 to 108. A total of 231 counters were unchanged, 2,123 untraded and seven suspended.
Turnover stood at 83.43 million shares worth RM36.44 million.
UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan said that historically, the GDP growth has been anchored by private consumption averaging around 49 per cent of nominal GDP and private investment at approximately 23 per cent.
'Should either of these core pillars fall materially below their long-run averages -- particularly if private investment remains near its recent 18.5 per cent level -- it could undermine investor confidence and heighten risk aversion in domestic markets,' he told Bernama.
