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
Inflation in Tokyo accelerated in August, strengthening the argument for the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to continue its gradual interest rate hikes while balancing support for the economy. Consumer prices, excluding fresh food, rose by 2.4% compared to 2.2% in July, exceeding the consensus estimate of 2.2%, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. These Tokyo figures are considered leading indicators for national inflation data expected in September.
Key Takeaways:
Potential for Further Rate Hikes: Following the BOJ’s rate hike on July 31, Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled openness to additional hikes if inflation trends align with the bank's projections. However, Ueda has also expressed caution, indicating that the BOJ will carefully assess the impact of financial market instability before making further policy moves.
Mixed Economic Indicators: Additional data showed a mixed economic picture, with Japan's jobless rate increasing to 2.7% and factory output rising by 2.8% in July, though it missed the consensus forecast of 3.5%. Retail sales growth slowed to 2.6% year-on-year, barely outpacing inflation. These factors suggest a slow recovery of the real economy, making an immediate rate hike unlikely.
Inflation Drivers and Economic Outlook: Rising energy prices have contributed significantly to inflation, with electricity prices surging by 24.2% in August. While there is hope that higher wages driven by tight labor market conditions could make households more resilient, economists believe a strong economic recovery justifying an early rate hike is unlikely. Most expect the BOJ to hold steady on rates at its next meeting on September 20, with the possibility of a rate hike delayed until early next year.
Overall, the latest data supports a cautious approach by the BOJ, balancing the need to address inflation while ensuring economic stability. The upcoming leadership race within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and possible policy shifts could also influence the economic landscape in the coming months.
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