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 15): The FBM KLCI finished in negative territory today due to lack of any significant progress in the ongoing US-China trade talks, as well as profit taking by investors.
The benchmark index closed 1.36 points or 0.09% lower at 1566.23.
On the broader market, there were 410 decliners against 391 advancers. A total of 2.62 billion shares valued at RM1.73 billion exchanged hands.
Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd analyst Loui Low said today’s trading was mostly sideways, with bouts of profit taking.
“Trading sentiment was also dampened due to China putting a pause on the trade deal, despite the mildly expansionary budget presented (by the Malaysian government) earlier. There is also some rotational play going on,” he told theedgemarkets.com when contacted.
Nevertheless, Loui also noted that there was still some spillover effect from Budget 2020, since beneficiary stocks such as those involved in technology and green initiatives remained positive.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Reuters said most stock markets traded in a flat-to-lower range, as hopes of a Sino-U.S. trade deal subsided after Beijing indicated further talks were needed, while figures from China underlined the damage felt due to trade pressures.
Source: The Edge
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