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 (Oct 29): The FBM KLCI managed to close in positive territory today after six straight days of decline, thanks mainly due to buying at the 11th hour in IHH Healthcare Bhd.
The key index closed 0.67 points or 0.04% higher at 1,683.73.
Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong Teck Meng said there were still uncertainties in the market due to external issues like the US-China trade war and the mid-term elections in the US, and also domestic matters.
“Basically, investors are waiting for the D-day on Nov 2 or Nov 5,” said Wong, adding that IHH, DiGi.Com Bhd and Sime Darby Bhd contributed to the lift of the KLCI today.
Top gainer IHH closed 26 sen or 5.42% higher at RM5.06, while losers were led by Malayan Banking Bhd which fell 17 sen or 1.8% to RM9.27.
Total turnover on Bursa Malaysia was 1.85 billion shares worth RM1.43 billion. Losers led gainers by 588 to 223, while 349 counters remained unchanged.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.16%, South Korea's Kospi fell 1.53% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 0.38%.
Reuters reported worries about China’s slowing economy spread across Asian markets today with US stock futures turning down and Chinese shares in the red as concerns about US corporate earnings and global growth continued to hit sentiment.
The losses in Asia were largely led by China’s blue-chip index which tumbled over 3.3% following disappointing earnings from the country’s top liquor maker, Kweichow Moutai, the newswire added.
Source: The Edge
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