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 (Feb 7): The FBM KLCI, which languished in the red throughout most of the trading session today, eventually settled 0.11% higher, lifted by last-minute gains in index-linked counters.
At 5pm, the benchmark index was 1.72 points higher at 1,554.49, as Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd (HLFG), CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Maxis Bhd recorded gains.
HLFG closed 6.93% or RM1.12 higher at RM17.28, giving it a market capitalisation of RM19.79 billion, while CIMB ended 13 sen or 2.59% higher at RM5.15, which gave it a market value of RM51.10 billion. Maxis climbed 5 sen or 0.93% to RM5.45, for a market capitalisation of RM42.62 billion.
Across the local exchange, there were 343 gainers versus 424 losers, while 445 stocks remained unchanged. A total of 2.74 billion shares worth RM2.17 billion were transacted, compared with yesterday's 3.08 billion shares worth RM2.48 billion.
TA Securities senior technical analyst Stephen Soo, when contacted, said market sentiment remains cautious due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak.
There was also clear profit-taking activities seen today, following the "rally" of over 1% recorded in the local bourse yesterday after China announced it would cut tariffs on US imports, Soo said.
"The uncertainty is still high [as investors are still] concerned about the [coronavirus ] outbreak. I believe the latest [concern for the outbreak] was coming from the cruise ship from Japan, which triggered caution [for the investors] on the outbreak," he said.
"For the next week, the market should be trading sideways, but with some potential downside, depending on [further] developments of the virus outbreak and US-China trade progress," he said, adding the KLCI's immediate resistance level would be at 1,565, with support at 1,517.
It was reported today that another 41 people on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases on board the 3,700-filled boat to 61. This brings the number of confirmed cases in Japan to 86, the second highest figure after China. Those on board have now been quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, according to BBC News.
Reuters, meanwhile, reported that Asian share markets fell on Friday while oil price gains stalled, as the growing death toll and economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak snuffed out a late-week rally.
The total death toll from the virus has now reached 636, while the number of infections stood at 31,513.
Japan's Nikkei closed the day 0.19% lower, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.33% and South Korea's Kospi declined 0.72%. China's Shanghai Composite Index, on the other hand, rose 0.33%.
Source: The Edge
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