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 16): The FBM KLCI rose 10.29 points or 0.6% to its intraday high, lifted mainly by Telekom Malaysia Bhd's 11th-hour share price spike and as US stock futures traded higher.
Reuters reported that US stock futures firmed and oil fell on Monday as investors wagered the latest US-led strike on Syria would not escalate into a wider conflict, though Asian markets turned mixed as selling in bank shares slugged Chinese indexes.
"(US President Donald) Trump was able to enforce his chemical weapons red line without crossing the threshold for Russian retaliation," Reuters quoted analysts at JPMorgan as saying in a note.
"Stocks were concerned about a prolonged and expanded US campaign towards Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and that doesn't look probable," the analysts said.
At Bursa Malaysia, the KLCI closed at 1,878.76 at 5pm while Telekom Malaysia added 21 sen to RM5.63 among Bursa Malaysia top gainers. Among US stock futures, the Dow Jones mini Futures climbed 151 points or 0.62% to 24,487 at 5:39pm.
In Malaysia, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong said "the index (KLCI) was lifted at the eleventh hour, with notable gains in Genting Malaysia Bhd, Telekom Malaysia and Petronas Dagangan Bhd."
Petronas Dagangan shares rose 60 sen to close at RM26.08 while Genting Malaysia was 22 sen higher at RM5.30.
Source: The Edge
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