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 18): Bursa Malaysia retreated from its gains to end the week marginally lower, due to profit-taking activities particularly in banking and oil and gas stocks, coupled with the weaker regional market performance, a dealer said.
At 5pm, the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.97 points to 1,603.05 from 1,605.02 at Thursday's close
The index, which opened 3.28 points lower at 1,601.74, moved between 1,599.8 and 1,607.42 throughout the session.
The overall market breadth was negative with decliners surpassing gainers 510 to 477, while 427 counters were unchanged, 825 untraded and 11 others suspended.
Total turnover was slightly lower at 3.87 billion units worth RM2.99 billion versus 3.91 billion units worth RM3.34 billion on Thursday.
Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice president of equity research Thong Pak Leng said the local bourse remained above the 1,600 psychological mark despite some intermittent corrections.
"The market undertone remains steady despite the anticipated profit taking," he said.
Regionally, key markets trended broadly lower following negative cues overnight from Wall Street amid renewed geopolitical concerns over Ukraine and Russia.
Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 0.29% to 3,431.55, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 1.88% to 24,327.71 and Japan's Nikkei 225 eased 0.41% to 27,122.07.
Bursa heavyweights Malayan Banking Bhd and Public Bank Bhd each fell two sen to RM8.66 and RM4.39 respectively, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd slipped nine sen to RM9.21, IHH Healthcare Bhd declined four sen to RM6.55, and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd lost three sen to RM5.60.
As for the actives, Ta Win Holdings Bhd gained three sen to 18.5 sen, Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd added four sen to RM1.18, while SMTrack Bhd and DGB Asia Bhd were unchanged at 24 sen and 2.5 sen, respectively.
On the index board, FBM ACE weakened 41.87 points to 6,294.76, FBM 70 reduced 69.85 points to 13,744.74, FBM Emas Index eased 17.14 points to 11,451.51, FBMT 100 Index gave up 23.09 points to 11,125.15, while FBM Emas Shariah Index added 2.69 points to 12,210.71.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index erased 64.94 points to 16,400.68, the Industrial Products and Services Index was 0.15 of-a-point lower at 211.63, while the Plantation Index improved 152.96 points to 8,120.23.
The Main Market volume increased to 2.58 billion shares worth RM2.72 billion from 2.47 billion shares worth RM2.96 billion on Thursday.
Warrants turnover improved to 373.25 million units worth RM49.52 million against 362.77 million units worth RM48.26 million previously.
The ACE Market volume narrowed to 911.6 million shares valued at RM222.7 million versus 1.08 billion shares valued at RM331.42 million on Thursday.
Consumer products and services counters accounted for 519.76 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (832.84 million), construction (128.14 million), technology (255.16 million), SPAC (nil), financial services (56.59 million), property (145.46 million), plantation (218.44 million), REITs (4.22 million), closed/fund (31,300), energy (262.93 million), healthcare (68.66 million), telecommunications and media (31.53 million), transportation and logistics (41.48 million), and utilities (17.26 million).
Source: The Edge
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