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 (Dec 20): Bursa Malaysia ceded earlier gains to finish in the negative territory on Wednesday due to profit-taking activities in the late trading session, ending its seven-day winning streak.
At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dipped 1.11 points to 1,464.56, from Tuesday (Dec 19)’s close of 1,465.67.
The benchmark index opened 0.76 of-a-point better at 1,466.43 and moved between 1,464.09 and 1,470.79 throughout the day.
In the broader market, losers surpassed gainers 465 to 411, while 491 counters were unchanged, 950 untraded, and 23 others suspended.
Turnover rose to 3.84 billion units worth RM2.67 billion, from 3.72 billion units worth RM2.42 billion on Tuesday.
Rakuten Trade equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices closed mixed but was mostly higher earlier, buoyed by the upbeat Wall Street overnight and the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep its interest rate on hold being expected to lend support to Japanese stocks.
"Meanwhile, investors are awaiting a slew of economic data from the United States later this week to firm up their gauges on rate," he told Bernama.
On the local front, Thong said the FBM KLCI failed to hold above the crucial 1,465 resistance line.
“We hope for a breakout from this line; if not, the benchmark index will further consolidate around that level for a short period, pending new catalysts.
"If the FBM KLCI is able to break out from the 1,465 resistance level for an extended period and holds strongly, we anticipate stronger potential upwards in the near term.
"We expect the key index to trend within the 1,460-1,470 range for the rest of the week, with immediate support at 1,450 and resistance at 1,500," he added.
Among the heavyweights, Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd increased nine sen to RM7.18, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) slid one sen to RM8.97, Public Bank Bhd went down two sen to RM4.32, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd lost six sen to RM5.90, while Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) was flat at RM10.00.
Of the actives, TWL Holdings Bhd inched up half-a-sen to 3.5 sen, Jati Tinggi Group Bhdadded four sen to 31 sen, Leform Bhd rose two sen to 41 sen, Top Glove Corp Bhd fell 3.5 sen to 90.5 sen, and Careplus Group Bhd dropped 2.5 sen to 44 sen.
On the index board, the FBM Emas Index shed 5.51 points to 10,859.05, the FBMT 100 Index decreased 3.44 points to 10,527.08, the FBM 70 Index climbed 13.89 points to 14,547.91, the FBM ACE Index inched up 10.74 points to 5,193.87, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index edged up 11.99 points to 10,996.68.
Sector-wise, the Financial Services Index erased 53.75 points to 16,451.95, the Energy Index was 0.73 of-a-point weaker at 817.72, the Plantation Index slipped 6.05 points to 6,998.55, while the Industrial Products and Services Index perked up 0.26 of-a-point to 171.90.
The Main Market volume improved to 2.28 billion units valued at RM2.32 billion, against 2.20 billion units valued at RM2.11 billion on Tuesday.
Warrants turnover shrank to 596.06 million units worth RM66.46 million, from 695.52 million units worth RM78.32 million previously.
The ACE Market volume expanded to 917.97 million shares valued at RM284.93 million, versus 817.79 million shares valued at RM228.89 million on Tuesday.
Consumer products and services counters accounted for 277.81 million shares traded on the Main Market; industrial products and services (485.62 million); construction (102.47 million); technology (217.81 million); SPAC (nil); financial services (121.86 million); property (393.74 million); plantation (16.39 million); REITs (6.77 million), closed/fund (68,700); energy (140.99 million); healthcare (390.08 million); telecommunications and media (36.03 million); transportation and logistics (33.59 million); and utilities (59.71 million).
Source: The Edge
Comments
Post a Comment