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 (Nov 16): Shares on Bursa Malaysia retreated at the close on Thursday on profit taking after Wednesday’s gains and as China’s property woes weighed on regional sentiment, with investors also cautious ahead of Malaysia's third quarter (3Q) results on Friday.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell 2.16 points to 1,464.68 from Wednesday’s closing of 1,466.84.
The index opened 2.06 points easier at 1,464.78 and hit its lowest of 1,460.46 and highest of 1,465.16.
The market breadth was negative with decliners outpacing gainers 487 to 419 while 470 counters were unchanged, 1,004 untraded and 24 others suspended.
Turnover narrowed to 3.48 billion units valued at RM2.07 billion from Wednesday’s 3.94 billion units valued at RM2.21 billion.
Asian stocks fell on Thursday, pausing the heavy gains made this week, as fresh Chinese data showed prolonged weakness in the property sector and dented some of the recent optimism about a recovery in the world's second-largest economy, according to a Reuters report.
Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng viewed Thursday's profit taking as a positive signal as it allowed the market to digest recent gains.
“Our expectation is for the market undertone to remain stable, supported by significant backing from foreign funds. Hence, we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the range of 1,460-1,470 towards the weekend,” he said.
Another analyst said investors were also closely watching Malaysia’s 3Q gross domestic product (GDP) to be announced on Friday, with economists projecting 3.2-3.3% growth versus 2.9% in the preceding quarter.
Among heavyweight counters, Maybank Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd were flat at RM9.14 and RM5.98, respectively. Public Bank Bhd edged up one sen to RM4.24 while CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd dropped two sen to RM5.78 and RM7.33, respectively.
Of the actives, Hong Seng Consolidated Bhd, Kanger International Bhd and Leform Bhd were unchanged at four sen, 6.5 sen and 27.5 sen, respectively. Top Glove Corp Bhd bagged four sen to 79 sen while Salutica Bhd rose seven sen to 86.5 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index dropped 3.76 points to 10,828.3, the FBMT 100 Index lost 2.88 points to 10,490.95 and the FBM Emas Shariah Index declined 13.9 points to 11,033.4.
The FBM ACE Index shrank 2.37 points to 5,118.81 but the FBM 70 Index climbed 50.89 points to 14,339.70.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index recouped 3.34 points to 16,433.44, the Energy Index edged down 0.9 a point to 861.94 and the Plantation Index slid 15.31 points to 7,006.92. The Industrial Products and Services Index shaved 0.12 of a point to 174.44.
The Main Market volume eased to 2.1 billion units worth RM1.77 billion compared with Wednesday’s 2.56 billion units worth RM1.88 billion.
Warrant turnover expanded to 679.98 million units valued at RM91.97 million from 602.85 million units valued at RM86.8 million the previous day.
The ACE Market volume was trimmed down to 695.9 million shares worth RM202.66 million from 783.52 million shares worth RM236.45 million previously.
Consumer products and services counters accounted for 351.64 million shares traded on the Main Market, industrial products and services (415.14 million); construction (65.56 million); technology (442.55 million); SPAC (nil); financial services (62.26 million); property (155.64 million); plantation (35.77 million); REITs (9.55 million), closed/fund (12,200); energy (98.3 million); healthcare (239.06 million); telecommunications and media (34.48 million); transportation and logistics (47.41 million); and utilities (138.6 million).
Source: The Edge
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