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 31): The FBM KLCI rose with Asian shares today, driven by bargain hunting.
At 5pm, the KLCI rose 23.33 points or 1.38% to close at 1,709.27 points. Gainers led losers by 611 to 176, while 430 counters traded unchanged.
Top gainers included Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
"The Malaysian stock market is oversold and I expect the market shall continue to recover some losses as bargain hunters will continue to pick up [those] at cheaper valuations," Malacca Securities head of research Victor Wan told theedgemarkets.com.
"Key level of resistance to look at is 1,720. Conversely, support levels can be identified at 1,680 and 1,700," Wan added.
Across Asia, Japan's Nikkei rose 2.16%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.6% and South Korea's Kospi climbed 0.74%.
Reuters reported that Asian stocks clawed up from 20-month lows on Wednesday amid pledges by China to support its markets, but investor confidence was brittle after equity markets bled trillions of dollars this month.
Factors ranging from Sino-US trade tensions to worries about global economic growth, higher US interest rates and company earnings have spurred volatility in financial markets in the past few weeks, the newswire added.
Source: The Edge
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