KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia gave up earlier gains to end mixed today, amid a higher regional market showing, as property, construction, and healthcare counters attracted buying interests, while plantation, banking, and telecommunication stocks saw some profit-taking, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 1.70 points to close at 1,602.34 from yesterday’s close of 1,604.04. The benchmark index, which opened 0.86 of-a-point lower at 1,603.18, moved between 1,601.02 and 1,608.88 during the trading session. However, the broader market was mixed to higher, with gainers leading decliners by 565 to 438 while 502 counters remained unchanged, 961 untraded, and 14 suspended. Turnover narrowed to 2.83 billion units valued at RM2.08 billion versus 2.96 billion units valued at RM2.23 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the benchmark index remained range-bound and it required a dec
China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), has decided to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 2.3% for its one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF), following a 20 basis point cut in July. This move reflects Beijing’s cautious approach to economic support, as it seeks to balance stimulating growth with managing financial risks in the bond market.
Key Takeaways:
Steady Policy Rate: The PBOC opted to maintain the one-year MLF rate at 2.3%, despite recent economic pressures, including a rare contraction in bank loans due to weak demand. The decision also comes after the PBOC withdrew a net 101 billion yuan ($14 billion) from the banking system this month, signaling an effort to maintain balanced liquidity and prevent excessive enthusiasm in the bond market.
Curbing Bond Market Excesses: The PBOC’s decision aligns with its recent warnings against a bond-buying frenzy, as it seeks to mitigate financial risks. China has initiated stress tests with financial institutions to ensure they can withstand potential volatility if the current bond rally reverses. This cautious stance indicates Beijing’s focus on maintaining financial stability.
Market Dynamics and Liquidity: The central bank's withdrawal of liquidity reflects tepid demand for MLF loans, as funding costs for commercial banks remain low compared to the MLF rate. However, the PBOC also injected 471 billion yuan of short-term cash through seven-day reverse repurchase agreements to ensure sufficient liquidity at the end of the month.
Future Easing Possible: While the PBOC held rates steady, economists suggest that further easing measures could be on the horizon, particularly if the U.S. Federal Reserve begins its anticipated rate-cutting cycle in September. Potential actions could include reducing the reserve requirement ratio by 25 to 50 basis points to support liquidity needs and replace maturing MLF loans.
Policy Rate Overhaul: The PBOC’s delayed one-year MLF operation this month is part of a broader overhaul of its policy rate system, aiming to shift towards using short-term rates to guide markets, in line with global central banking practices.
Bank Caution on Lending Rates: Chinese banks have also kept the benchmark lending rates unchanged for August, reflecting concerns over potentially smaller profit margins amid the current economic environment.
Overall, the PBOC's decision to hold rates steady highlights its cautious strategy in managing economic support while addressing potential risks in the financial markets. As China navigates these challenges, the central bank's actions will be closely watched for signals of future policy adjustments.
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