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How bold a move from the ECB?
According to this article published Friday 12 May, a rate increase at the European Central Bank's upcoming meeting is almost certain, with estimates ranging between 25 and 50 basis points.
ECB's Trichet on two successes of the euro
In the speech 'Two successes of the euro: the single monetary policy and European financial integration' given on 11 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said that the central bank is on high alert over inflationary dangers, is exercising "strong vigilance…
Weber on oil price shocks and monetary policy
In the speech 'Oil price shocks and monetary policy in the euro area' given on 11 May Axel Weber of the Deutsche Bundesbank said the inflationary risks connected with runaway record oil prices are likely to increase as the economic recovery in the…
Shabibi says Iraq's reforms are on track
The governor of the central bank of Iraq said on Thursday 11 May that solid progress was being made in reforming the country's financial sector despite ongoing disruptions and that enough reserves existed to defend the currency.
Turkey to stick with floating lira
The governor of Turkey's central bank said Friday 12 May that the bank would maintain its floating currency system but was closely monitoring foreign currency market developments, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Chinese economists want increased gold reserves
Some Chinese economists are urging the government to increase its gold reserves to 2,500 tons from the current 600 tons because the country's foreign exchange reserves had become the world's largest, an official industry newspaper reported this week.
BoE's Walton sees more confidence in economy
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member David Walton was quoted on Friday 12 May as saying that policymakers are confident that the UK economy has clearly emerged from a soft patch early last year.
Hungary's Jarai calls budget 'undisciplined'
Hungary's central bank governor launched a strongly worded attack on the budgetary management of Hungary's socialist prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany on Thursday 11 May.
ECB pledges price stability, oil risks worsen
The article "ECB bankers pledge price stability, oil risks worsen" published Thursday 11 May says that the oil shock threatens to push up core inflation in the eurozone, a danger the European Central Bank ignores at its peril.
China needs more central bank independence - IMF
A new paper from the International Monetary Fund says that China should adopt an explicit, long-run inflation objective, strengthen its banking sector, and give its central bank operational independence.
RBI's Reddy on global imbalances
In the speech 'Global imbalances - An Indian perspective' given on 11 May Dr.Y.V.Reddy of the Reserve Bank of India said any large adjustments in major currencies and global interest rates would have a significant impact on the economy.
Richmond Fed welcomes chief HR officer
Tammy H. Cummings will join the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond as vice president of human resources for the Fifth District, effective 15 May.
Comment: Flawed convergence criteria?
Willem Buiter and Anne Sibert, two London-based academics, have slammed the Maastricht criteria for entry into the eurozone. They point to a number of inconsistencies in way the conditions are applied and suggest that the current formulation "makes no…
ECB's Trichet on European financial integration
In the speech 'The process of European financial integration' given on 11 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said European financial integration still lags behind, particularly in retail banking and financial infrastructure services, despite the progress…
Fed's Kohn on investing in payment innovations
In the speech 'Investing in payment innovations: A Federal Reserve perspective' given on 11 May Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said changing electronic payment systems benefit both institutions and consumers, but also expose them to new risks,…
National Bank of Belarus - Annual Report 2004
According to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus's Annual Report 2004, the economic situation in 2004, on the whole, was characterised by a deceleration of inflationary and devaluation processes and higher rates of GDP growth.
China's yuan progress 'far too little'
The US government on Wednesday 10 May did not accuse China of manipulating the value of its currency, but said Beijing had made "far too little progress" in adopting a flexible exchange rate.
Comment: US Treasury diplomacy
In what has been billed as a key moment in American economic diplomacy, the US Treasury this week resisted temptation and political pressure by deciding not to formally accuse China of currency manipulation.
Austria's Liebscher says oil biggest eurozone risk
Austrian national bank governor Klaus Liebscher told reporters on Thursday 11 May that high oil prices pose the biggest threat to the eurozone economy.
Swedish Riksbank's board unanimous on decision
The minutes of the Swedish Riksbank's monetary policy meeting on 27 April showed it was unanimous in its decision to leave the repo rate unchanged at 2%.
Fed raises rates to 5%
The Federal Open Market Committee decided Wednesday 10 May to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 5 percent. In its statement the FOMC said "some further policy firming may yet be needed."
SARB Monetary Policy Review, May 2006
The South African Reserve Bank published its Monetary Policy Review for May 2006 on Thursday 11 May. Forecasts suggest that the inflation outlook has improved significantly, and there is evidence that inflation expectations and wage settlements are…
BoJ Outlook for economic activity & prices, Apr 06
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its April 2006 Outlook for economic activity and prices report on 1 May. In the report the BoJ said Japan's economy continues to recover steadily.
Central Bank of Ireland, Quarterly Bulletin 2/2006
The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland published its Second Quarterly Bulletin for 2006 on 12 April. The Bulletin reports that the outlook for the Irish economy remains good.