Market Pulse - Extended Profit Taking

The FBM KLCI finished lower on the back of cautious undertone ahead of the US inflation data that will be released on the 10th of August. Given the market has rallied over the past two months, investors will be staying sidelines and monitor closely on the CPI data in order to decide on the market directions as well as the FOMC’s interest rate decision moving forward. Also, the development of China’s aggressive drills near Taiwan, may pose downside risk to the stock markets.