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 (Nov 7): The FBM KLCI closed in the positive territory today after gaining traction in the final trading hour, before closing up 6.08 points, thanks to gains made by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
"The index hovered mostly in positive territory today, underpinned mainly by gains by MAHB after it had recovered most of the previous session's sell down following the government's announcement of a proposed first airport REIT," Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com when contacted.
MAHB rose 7.23% or 55 sen to close at RM8.16, after 5.55 million shares were done. The counter declined on Monday after the government said it intends to set up the world's first "airport real estate investment trust (REIT)" when tabling the recent Budget 2019 last Friday.
At 5pm, the FBM KLCI settled at 1,714.88 points, with 2.32 billion shares traded for a value of RM2.5 billion. Gainers led losers at 386 versus 353, with 448 unchanged.
Regionally, the index also outperformed other indexes said Leong, which had been impacted by the US midterm elections.
Reuters wrote that Japan's Nikkei ended lower in volatile trade as investors assessed the policy impact of the US polls, in which Democrats wrestled control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans.
It said Nikkei's share average fell 0.3% to 22,085.8 points, after traversing positive and negative territories.
The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index similarly fell 0.68% to 2,641.34 points; the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 0.1% to 26,147.69 points.
Looking ahead, Leong said market movement will be impacted by the release of corporate earnings in the coming two to three weeks.
Source: The Edge
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