The Bank of Russia unexpectedly maintained its key interest rate at a record-high 21% , defying analysts’ expectations of another significant hike as inflation remains stubbornly elevated. The decision marks a shift toward a more measured approach in balancing economic growth and price stability. Key Details Inflation Concerns: Annual inflation climbed to 8.9% in November, well above the central bank’s 4% target , with inflation expectations reaching 13.9% in December. Policy Rationale: The central bank cited the significant tightening of monetary conditions after October’s 200-basis point hike as sufficient to resume disinflationary processes. Governor Elvira Nabiullina emphasized avoiding both economic overheating and severe slowdowns. Economic Overheating: Elevated government spending on the war in Ukraine and social programs, coupled with labor shortages and rising wages, have fueled strong domestic demand, exacerbating price pressures...
The year 2010 has almost come to an end. Like I mentioned just a year back in Setting Financial Goals for Year 2010 , we should also start setting financial goals for the year 2011. Again the same advice, financial goals are needed so that we can control our day-to-day financial affairs which will be executed by creating and following a budget. Good financial goals are usually realistic and achievable and will give satisfaction to one. Good financial goals also come with good execution plan, without this execution plan, no matter how good financial goals are, these goals will still remain as goal. However, before moving to the year 2011, let us start looking back on what are the financial goals that we set for the year and gauge the overall performance. For the year 2010, I have set 3 major financial goals:- Continue tithing Clearing 10% debt for both car loan and education loan Stocks portfolio to grow another 20% Out of the 3 financial goals, two of the goals are to be done habituall...