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 (June 18): The FBM KLCI finished 21.41 points or 1.4% lower today at 1,504.91, as concerns over the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in China and the U.S. dented global stock market sentiment.
Across Bursa Malaysia at 5pm, a total of 5.12 billion shares worth RM3.87 were traded. There were 685 decliners and 300 gainers, after broad-based selling across the exchange.
“Concerns over Covid-19 and the potential of a second wave of infections continue to dominate investor sentiment,” Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd research vice president Vincent Lau told theedgemarkets.com.
All Bursa indices ended lower. Worst hit, in percentage terms, was the healthcare index, which usually rises on news of Covid-19 outbreaks.
The healthcare index, which tracks share prices of companies including rubber glove manufacturers, closed down 3.16%.
Across Bursa-listed stocks, top decliners included Top Glove Corp Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd and Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd. Leading decliner Top Glove's share price closed down RM1 or 6.37% at RM14.70.
Notable stocks in the top gainer and most-active lists included Datasonic Group Bhd. Datasonic's share price rose 12 sen or 8.57% to RM1.52, with some 92 million units traded.
Globally, Reuters reported Asian stocks and Wall Street futures fell on Thursday, as spiking coronavirus cases in some U.S. states and in China dented hopes of a quick global economic comeback from the pandemic.
It was reported that S&P 500 mini futures fell as much as 1.4% in early Asian trade and last traded down 0.7%, while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan shed as much as 1% before paring losses to 0.15%.
Source: The Edge
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