Cna

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged toward a record high on Wednesday, Aug 5, as investors reacted to strong company earnings and geopolitical developments. • While the Dow climbed, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 finished lower as early trading momentum weakened across Wall Street. • Market sentiment remained "bullish minded," according to analyst Patrick O'Hare, driven by hopes for a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition suffered a significant defeat in the recent Negeri Sembilan state polls. • This loss marks the third major blow in a series of electoral setbacks that are fundamentally reshaping Malaysia's political landscape. • The defeat is critical as it signals a decline in PH's regional influence and puts pressure on Anwar's leadership ahead of the next general election.

• Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) achieved a supermajority victory in the Negeri Sembilan polls by leveraging strong Malay-Muslim support. • Analysts suggest this outcome may prompt the two former rivals to deepen their partnership and formalize a more serious working relationship. • The potential alliance is highlighted by the fact that BN and PN combined for 94 seats in Peninsular Malaysia during the 15th general elections, outperforming Pakatan Harapan's 71 seats.

• Oil prices tumbled on Monday, August 3, while global stocks mostly rose following US President Donald Trump's announcement that he is preparing for new talks with Iran. • The market shift is driven by hopes that these diplomatic efforts will lead to a deal ending the ongoing war in the Middle East. • Conversely, Asian technology stocks faced heavy losses, with South Korea's Kospi index dragged down by chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung.

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition faces a critical electoral test in the Negeri Sembilan state polls scheduled for August 1. • PH is battling to retain power against a combined "Malay-Muslim unity" narrative pushed by rivals Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN). • The shift is highlighted by hardcore UMNO supporters who now view a BN-PN alliance as a better fit for uniting the Malay vote than the current PH partnership.

• Political parties are tailoring campaigns to target youth voters in Negeri Sembilan by promising improved public transport, affordable housing, education, and better job opportunities. • The election outcome may depend on the "mobile electorate," consisting of students and workers living outside the state who must return home to cast their ballots. • A victory for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government would bolster confidence in his administration's stability.

• Asian stock markets experienced choppy trading and struggled for direction on Thursday, July 30, 2026, following a week of significant volatility. • The instability was primarily driven by investor jitters surrounding the artificial intelligence sector and uncertainty regarding future monetary policy. • The Federal Reserve maintained current interest rates, but a divided stance among officials has left bond markets guessing about the timing of future rate cuts.