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...
FBM KLCI was brought back below 1,700 mark as the Asian markets were dragged down by the less-than-rosy economic prospects voiced by the Bank of Japan (BoJ).
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| FBM KLCI closed lower, dropping below 1,700 mark |
The benchmark index was down by 0.55% or 9.39 points to 1,690.92 at closing. The underperformance of banking and telecommunications stocks as well as Genting Bhd has impacted the FBM KLCI as well.
Across the board, gainers led losers by 409 counters to 381 counters, while 381 counters finished unchanged. There was 1.52 billion shares traded worth at RM1.704 billion.
The top gainers included Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Bhd and Can-One Bhd.
AirAsia Bhd was the most actively traded counter with 65.23 million shares done.
The decliners included British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd, UMW Holdings Bhd, JMR Conglomeration Bhd, Petronas Gas Bhd and Genting.
According to Reuters, Asian stocks fell today after the BoJ expressed more pessimism about the outlook for exports, industrial output and inflation, but the yen firmed as policymakers appeared to back away from any imminent move to cut interest rates further into negative territory.
Japan's Nikkei 225 closed 0.68% lower at 17,117.07 points, South Korea's Kospi was down 0.12% at 1,969.97 points while Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed 0.72% lower at 20,288.77 points.
As for the crude oil, prices dropped as renewed concerns on the recovery of its price will be affected by the ongoing oversupply. The fall in crude oil prices followed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) statement that global demand for its crude would be less than previously thought in 2016 as supply from rivals proves more resilient to low prices, increasing the excess supply in the market this year, Reuters reported.
The April futures contract for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil dropped 2.29% to US$36.33 per barrel while the contract for Brent crude oil dropped 2.4% to US$38.58 per barrel.
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