Monetary policy decisions
BoE signals extra slack as it revises growth outlook upwards
Mark Carney indicates the MPC is willing to keep rates on hold, although risks may emerge as details become clear about the UK’s EU departure; UK government publishes a white paper on Brexit
Only ‘gradual’ increases in interest rates on the cards at the Fed
FOMC members think only “gradual” adjustments to monetary policy are warranted; current pace will strengthen the labour market and see inflation rise
BoJ ups growth forecast after Trump shock
Improvements in overseas economies and yen weakness prompt central bank to revise up its growth forecast, though inflation is largely unchanged; policy remains on hold
Tight policy keeping a lid on inflation – Central Bank of Iceland
“Steep” pay increases and rising house prices keep the central bank on alert; report warns the situation could easily change
Protectionist ‘threats’ from US could harm emerging markets – Kganyago
International concerns high on Sarb’s list at latest MPC discussion; uncertainty surrounding US economic policy leads to revision of headline inflation forecast
Bank of Canada re-modelling export links to US – Poloz
Previous approach may have over-estimated importance of US when modelling exports, governor says; uncertainties over US fiscal policy makes forecasting challenging
Yellen: Fed expects rates to hit long-run level by end-2019
Fed chair warns there could be a “nasty surprise” down the road if policymakers wait too long to raise rates
Carney: 250,000 jobs lost by 2018 if BoE had not acted after Brexit vote
BoE governor defends 2016 action by underlining policy trade-off, but warns consumers are "looking through" Brexit-related uncertainties
Riksbank dissenters raise range of concerns
Three officials objected to the Riksbank’s decision to expand its asset purchases at the meeting on December 20, for a variety of reasons, minutes show
Brazil ups pace of easing as inflation drops
Size of cut surprises observers, though inflation proves more favourable than expected; rates still rising in real terms
Riksbank extends QE, despite dissent
Additional Skr30 billion of purchases takes Swedish QE programme to mid-2017; central bank cites continued risks to the outlook, but three members challenge decision
Yen weakness brings relief for Bank of Japan
Policy on hold, but central bank sees brighter outlook for 2017; yen close to lowest level this year, following Trump shock
SNB’s Jordan stresses commitment to exchange rate intervention
Central bank holds the policy rate, but the Swiss franc is still “significantly overvalued”, and the SNB will continue to intervene, chairman says
Inflation to reach 2% target in next six months, BoE says
MPC votes unanimously to leave rates unchanged at 0.25%; exchange rate appreciation suggests smaller overshoot of inflation target than previously forecast
FOMC signals hawkish outlook as it hikes
Dot plot shifts upward and projection implies members expect further hikes in 2017; Janet Yellen says fiscal stimulus “not obviously needed”
UK inflation expectations leap in fourth quarter
Brexit shock appears to have driven increase in inflation expectations; satisfaction with Bank of England remains high, but looks likely to fall as inflation rises
ECB will stay in asset markets - Draghi
Asset purchases will continue, but at a lower monthly rate; ECB to accept cash as collateral in securities lending programme
Central Bank of Brazil says ‘intensification’ in pace of monetary easing might be warranted
Some members of the committee said there could be room for a larger rate cut, minutes show; slowdown in inflation and implementation of government fiscal policies prompted 25bp cut
Patel defends approach to banknote crisis, as RBI holds
Governor offers some clarity on progress with note withdrawals and question of “extinguishing” parts of balance sheet; rate hold surprises market
Brazil cuts interest rates amid US economic uncertainty
Uncertainty around the rate of disinflation prompts committee to reduce rates with caution; pace of disinflation may “intensify”, says Copom, dependent on strength of economic recovery
Impact of interest rate cap still unclear – Kenyan governor
There is not enough data on interest caps to influence the MPC’s decision, says Njoroge; interest rates remain on hold at 10%
Malawi cuts interest rates on the back of lower inflation
Central bank cuts interest rates by three percentage points to contain inflation, though it also hopes to protect reserves
Kganyago says low point for growth has ‘passed’
The Sarb governor says inflation is “uncomfortably close” to the upper end of the target range; the monetary policy committee unanimously votes to keep rates on hold
Turkish central bank hikes as Trump election hits lira
Turkish lira has been targeted in emerging market currency sell-off; rate hike ignores the latest call for more cuts from Turkish president