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 13): Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday broke through the 1,600 psychological level, accumulating gains of 5% during its seven-day rally.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increased 1% or 16.47 points to 1,600.38 from 1,583.91 at Tuesday’s close.
The bellwether index opened 1.04 points lower at 1,582.87.
Market breadth was positive as gainers outnumbered losers 577 to 460, while 413 counters were unchanged, 829 untraded and 18 others suspended.
Turnover, however, decreased to 4.49 billion units worth RM3.34 billion from 5.19 billion units worth RM3.55 billion on Tuesday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said foreign buying continued to anchor the uptrend as sentiment remained positive amid the reopening of travel borders and increasing economic activities.
The rise in the benchmark index was mainly supported by banking heavyweights.
“Though a correction is anticipated, we believe the intermittent profit-taking activities will soften the impact.
“We reckon the index to hover within the 1,595-1,605 range for the remaining of the week. From the technical point of view, we see immediate resistance at 1,620 while immediate support is at 1,550,” he told Bernama.
Regional equity markets were mostly ended in the green. The oil market fell amid concerns over demand growth but Brent crude remained above US$83 per barrel.
Among the heavyweights, Malayan Banking Bhd rose six sen to RM8.29, MISC Bhd was 21 sen higher at RM7.11, Public Bank Bhd increased three sen to RM4.19, Hartalega Holdings Bhd advanced 10 sen to RM6.07, RHB Bank Bhd added 17 sen to RM5.72, and Sime Darby Bhd expanded nine sen to RM2.37.
Meanwhile, Axiata Group Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd were flat at RM4.10 and RM8.75, respectively, while Top Glove Corp Bhd lost four sen to RM2.79 and Petronas Gas Bhd slipped eight sen to RM17.
As for the active counters, Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd dropped half-a-sen to 41 sen, Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd eased one sen to 49.5 sen, MY EG Services Bhd inched up five sen to RM1.07, and Brahim's Holdings Bhd was one sen better at 52.5 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index was higher by 89.26 points at 11,741.91, the FBMT 100 Index edged up 95.38 points to 11,388.49, the FBM Emas Shariah Index increased 82.54 points to 12,830.85, the FBM 70 improved 42.6 points to 15,290.11, and the FBM ACE rose 8.17 points to 7,198.35.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index added 174.7 points to 15,717.5, the Industrial Products and Services Index bagged 0.66 of-a-point to 211.67, and the Plantation Index went up 93.96 points to 7,098.07.
The Main Market volume narrowed to 3.3 billion shares worth RM3.03 billion compared with 3.59 billion shares worth RM3.14 billion on Tuesday.
Warrants turnover fell to 238.27 million units worth RM17.53 million against 406.1 million units worth RM50.59 million.
The volume on the ACE Market eased to 938.35 million shares worth RM284.93 million from 1.19 billion shares worth RM355.41 million previously.
Consumer products and services counters accounted for 664.55 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (1.03 billion), construction (225.19 million), technology (299.73 million), SPAC (nil), financial services (78.37 million), property (224 million), plantation (57.88 million), REITs (8.69 million), closed/fund (53,200), energy (468.23 million), healthcare (65.24 million), telecommunications and media (31.76 million), transportation and logistics (133.9 million), and utilities (21.21 million).
Source: The Edge
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