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 10): Bargain hunting helped the FBM KLCI close in positive territory for the second day running today, after hitting an 18-month low.
The key index rose 14.5 points or 0.87% to 1,687.13, adding to yesterday’s 8.77-point recovery from the 18-month low of 1,663.86 last Friday.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong said the positive market sentiment was also due to the strengthening of the ringgit against the US dollar, and gains on Wall Street and regional markets.
“The KLCI extended its gains today, and we believe this positive sentiment is underpinned by bargain hunting activities, as well as the stronger ringgit against the US dollar.
“The index performance is also in line with the generally positive [performance] in the Asian stock markets and the US stock markets overnight,” Leong told theedgemarkets.com.
At press time, the ringgit was trading at 4.0195 to the US dollar, up 0.75% compared with 4.0498 a week ago.
Reuters reported most Southeast Asian stock markets climbed today, with Singapore and Indonesia extending their rally, as U.S. stocks gained overnight on hopes of strong corporate earnings, boosting positive sentiment across Asia.
“Asian shares outside Japan climbed for a third straight session, as bank shares boosted Wall Street on Monday, although trade tensions between the United States and China continued to linger,” Reuters said.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index was up 0.66% to 22,196.89 and South Korea’s Kospi index rose 0.37% to 2,294.16. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index however ended in the red, down 0.02% to 28,682.25.
The local bourse saw 1.99 billion shares traded for a total value of RM2.23 billion.
Gainers outnumbered losers by 414 to 319, while 484 counters were unchanged.
Among market movers were Telekom Malaysia Bhd which rose 3% to RM3.45, Maxis Bhd (up 2.5% to RM5.40), MISC Bhd ( up 2.5% to RM6.06), Sime Darby Bhd (up 2.6% to RM2.40) and IOI Corp Bhd (up 2% to RM4.55).
Top Glove Corp Bhd was the day’s top gainer. It rose 8.4% to RM9.90 in active trading, with 49.4 million shares exchanging hands. Other actively-traded counters include Sapura Energy Bhd and Barakah Offshore Petroleum Bhd.
Counters in the red today include Dialog Group Bhd (down 1.3% to RM3.11) and Hong Leong Industries Bhd (down 3.1% to RM11.10).
Source: The Edge
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