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...
Market Daily Report: FBM KLCI lower after 11th-hour profit taking as market adjusts to new Malaysian government
KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): The FBM KLCI fell 3.82 points or 0.2% on profit taking in the final trading minutes and as markets adjusted to the new Malaysian government under Pakatan Harapan.
Fund managers said there was foreign selling of local shares.
At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,854.44 points after investors sold KLCI-linked stocks Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd and AMMB Holdings Bhd. Other KLCI-linked decliners included Telekom Malaysia Bhd and YTL Corp Bhd.
The KLCI closed lower after rising to its intraday high at 1,867.09 points.
Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong Teck Meng said the market still needs time to digest new policies by the new Malaysian government. Wong said there was still foreign selling of local shares as foreign investors do not like uncertainty.
“They have been reducing some of their stocks. This may be due to uncertainty in the Malaysian market which they do not like. However it may also be due to external factors such as higher US treasury yields (which) impacted flow of funds,” Wong told theedgemarkets.com.
Across Bursa Malaysia, 3.33 billion shares worth RM3.78 billion were traded. Top decliners included George Kent (M) Bhd and My E.G. Services Bhd.
Source: The Edge
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