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 6): The FBM KLCI pared losses to finish 3.49 points or 0.22% lower today as Asian shares tracked US equity futures amid growing enthusiasm over a US-China trade deal.
At 5pm, the KLCI, which had earlier declined to its intraday low of 1,597.18, finished at 1,603.25 after US equity futures erased losses. Among US stock futures, the Dow Jones mini rose eight points or 0.03% to 27,429 at 5:31pm after falling to its intraday low.
Reuters, quoting latest reports, reported today China is pushing President Donald Trump to remove more tariffs as part of the “phase one” deal, which may be signed this month.
In Malaysia, Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd research head Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com Asian stock markets including Bursa Malaysia had earlier tracked lower US equity futures, which led to cautious profit taking across Asian shares.
"All in, it is more of a 'down day' than an 'up day' for the Asian stock markets," Pong said.
Across Bursa, turnover stood at 2.71 billion shares worth RM1.72 billion as a stronger ringgit appeared to dictate Malaysia share-trade dynamics.
Top decliners included KLCI stocks Top Glove Corp Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd, possibly as investors evaluated the impact of a stronger ringgit against these companies' US dollar-based earnings.
Top Glove closed down 13 sen or 2.89% at RM4.37 while Petronas Chemicals fell 10 sen or 1.3% to RM7.60.
Top Glove's share price had earlier dipped to its intraday low of RM4.35 as the company is also seen to be at risk of being removed from the KLCI, according to AllianceDBS Research Sdn Bhd.
In currency markets, the ringgit was traded at 4.1390 against the US dollar at the time of writing today. Over the last one year, the ringgit strengthened to current levels after depreciating to its weakest point at 4.2280.
Source: The Edge
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