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...
KUALA LUMPUR (July 26): The FBM KLCI closed 2.66 points or 0.2% higher on bargain hunting amid speculation on the timing of Malaysia's 14th General Election (GE).
At 5pm, the KLCI settled at 1,766 points. The KLCI traded between its intraday high and low at 1,766.7 and 1,760.82 points respectively.
Bursa Malaysia saw 1.3 billion shares worth RM1.55 billion traded. There were 373 gainers and 378 decliners.
Etiqa Insurance and Takaful head of research Chris Eng told theedgemarkets.com that the KLCI rose as investors pushed the index higher "possibly on insider information on when the election might be (held)".
“The (Malaysian stock market) rally will continue as long as the global market does not collapse. Currently, the market is still foreign news driven,” Eng said.
Malaysia held its GE13 on May 5, 2013.
Across Asian share markets today, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.48% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.33%. South Korea’s Kospi, however, fell 0.22%.
Reuters reported that Japanese stocks rose on Wednesday, snapping a three-day losing streak, as solid gains on Wall Street boosted sentiment and Caterpillar Inc's strong earnings whetted investors' appetite for companies such as Komatsu Ltd and Hitachi Construction Machinery Co.
While overall sentiment improved, investors took profits later in some of the stocks which had risen in early trade, as they remained cautious ahead of a US Federal Reserve monetary policy decision later in the day, Reuters reported.
Source: The Edge
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