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 (April 10): The FBM KLCI jumped 11.27 points or 0.6% after China President Xi Jinping struck a conciliatory tone in his speech today, in which he highlighted China's plan to widen market access for foreign investors, raise the foreign ownership limit in the automobile sector and protect intellectual property of foreign firms.
Reuters reported that US stock futures rallied, Asian equities bounced and the safe haven yen fell on Tuesday, as Xi Jinping promised to lower import tariffs on products including cars, helping soothe investor jitters over an escalating US-China trade row. Xi was speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan province.
At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI closed at 1,860.98 at 5pm. Trade volume across Bursa Malaysia was 3.73 billion shares worth RM2.71 billion. Yesterday, trade volume was 2.22 billion shares worth RM2.1 billion.
Across Asian share markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.54% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng increased 1.65%.
In Malaysia, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd head of retail research Loui Low told theedgemarkets.com that the stock market's gain is a recovery from a severely oversold position recently following concerns on the trade spat between US and China.
“The market movement today is a recovery from an oversold position seen in the last week. Chinese president Xi Jinping’s speech has given confidence to the market after concerns over a potential trade war led to a heavy selldown recently," Low said.
Source: The Edge
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