KUALA LUMPUR: Investors remained on edge as conflicting developments over the war in the Middle East and the global supply of crude oil continued to influence trading sentiment. The FBM KLCI pared losses to 5.77 points or 0.34% to 1,700.69 as traders adopted a wait-and-see approach amid the uncertainty. PETRONAS Chemicals led the blue chips, rising 29 sen to RM4.43, while other beneficiaries to soaring crude prices included Hengyuan Refining , rising 10 sen to RM1.67, and Hibiscus Petroleum, gaining six sen to RM2.26. Elsewhere, major Asian markets were also retreating from the prospect of rising global inflation. China's Shanghai Composite index dropped 1.26% to 2,709, the CSI300 slid 0.97% to 4,659 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 1.23% to 25,579.

Source: The Star March 12, 2026 15:35 UTC