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 (April 8): The FBM KLCI closed down 8.53 points or 0.62% at 1,361.39 today with global shares, as news on the higher global death toll at about 80,000 from the Covid-19 pandemic hit sentiment as investors weighed the economic impact from the outbreak.
Across Bursa Malaysia at 5pm, 5.36 billion shares worth RM2.67 billion were traded. There were 617 decliners versus 316 gainers across the exchange.
"Despite several stimulus packages [from our (Malaysian) government] to cushion the impact of Covid-19, traders are advised to deploy the sell into rally strategy for the near term as we believe the KLCI is facing a stiff resistance along 1,370-1,400,” Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd wrote in a note today.
Globally, it was reported that world stocks turned negative on Wednesday as the coronavirus death toll mounted and eurozone finance ministers failed to agree on a rescue package to help economies recover from the impact of the outbreak.
It was reported that Covid-19 hospitalisation seemed to be levelling off in New York State, but deaths across the US jumped by a record of more than 1,800.
"Meanwhile, France has officially registered more than 10,000 deaths from coronavirus infections, making it the fourth country to cross that threshold after Italy, Spain and the US. Mainland China's new coronavirus cases doubled in 24 hours as infected travellers returned home. After two sessions of gains, European equities fell amid renewed concern about the spread of the virus and the continent's response to it,” Reuters reported.
Across Bursa today, top decliners included KLCI stocks PPB Group Bhd, Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
Most active was Ekovest Bhd after some 233 million shares were traded. Ekovest’s share price closed up 1.5 sen or 3.37% at 46 sen.
Source: The Edge
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