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Berlusconi calls for ECB rate cut
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has called on the ECB to cut its interest rates, believing the euro to be over-valued against the dollar and complaining that it is hindering Italian exports by making them less competitive.
IMF paper on interest rates/ currency pegs
This IMF working paper studies a policy often used to defend a currency peg: raising short-term interest rates. A key implication of the model is that an interest rate defense can always be successful, but has great costs for domestic agents. Hence, it…
Inflation convergence across countries
OECD countries with a history of high inflation before the 1990s were shown to have subsequently experienced a larger degree of disinflation than countries with a history of low inflation. This RBA discussion paper explores further this phenomenon of…
Denmark's Andersen: Common or separate currencies?
In a speech on 'A common currency or separate currencies?' given on 25 May, Bodil Nyboe Andersen of the National Bank of Denmark said monetary and foreign-exchange issues should therefore be approached with caution by the authorities. If a change is to…
Ireland's Hurley on the role of the central bank
In a speech on 'The role of the central bank and the current issues being considered by the Financial Services Regulator' given on 1 June, John Hurley of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland put the role of the Central Bank in…
Basel Committee considers IFRS
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has been considering the potential impact the implementation of certain International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) may have on regulatory capital and whether it should be adjusted, in response.
BOT profits hit by exchange rates
The Bank of Thailand's (BOT) annual report recorded Bt5 billion net profit for 2003, a sharp drop of 58 per cent from the previous year, attributed to foreign exchange losses and lower interest income.
Fed ready to guard price stability says Greenspan
The Federal Reserve will do "what is required" to keep inflation under control if it transpires the forecast behind its view that interest rates can rise gradually is wrong, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said Tuesday.
Bank of Canada keeps interest rate unchanged at 2%
The Bank of Canada announced on Tuesday 8 June that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 2 per cent. In a press release it said all things considered, the Bank's outlook for economic growth and core inflation is essentially unchanged…
Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, May/Jun 2004
In the latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for May-June 2004, Fed economists Kevin Kliesen and Frank Schmid examine how announced changes in monetary policy actions and macroeconomic data releases affect the average rate of inflation that…
Norway's Gjedrem on inflation targeting
In a speech on 'Inflation targeting - some theory with main focus on practice' given on 8 June, Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said Norges Bank placed increasing emphasis on low and stable inflation and a formal inflation target for monetary policy was…
Challenges to the Swiss financial center
In a speech on 'Facts and challenges to the Swiss financial center' given on 3 June, Philipp Hildebrand of the Swiss National Bank said the financial sector is a critical contributor to the vitality and resilience of the Swiss economy. Defending and…
Federal Reserve to close Friday
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., will be closed on Friday, June 11 in observance of the national day of mourning for former President Reagan.
Japan's Muto on the cyclical recovery
In a speech on 'What lies beyond this cyclical recovery?' given on 7 June, Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said Japan's economy is still facing many challenges, particularly in the long run. On the other hand, prospects of a continued economic recovery…
Sveriges Riksbank - Annual Report 2003
The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. Stability in the financial system continued to be good, the report said. The year also saw Lars Heikensten take office as the new governor and the no vote in the euro…
PBOC's Zhou says watching prices -report
China's central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan said that the People's Bank of China will closely monitor any further changes in the consumer price index, according to a report published on Monday 7 June.
BOJ, govt closer on economic policy says Takenaka
Japan's government and central bank now have closer ties, Economics and Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka said on Monday 7 June, citing a recent agreement among policymakers that by some views demands more accountability from the Bank of Japan.
Russian gold, forex reserves climb 3.57% in May
Russia's gold and foreign currency reserves increased by 3.57%, or $2.95 billion, in May, to $85.61 billion from $82.66 billion, the Central Bank of Russia reported.
Moderate oil prices preferable - World Bank chief
World Bank President James Wolfensohn said at the conference 'Corporate Governance and Economic Growth in Russia', which opened in Moscow on Thursday 3 June, that moderate oil prices are better for the world economy in general.
SNB's Roth on the creation of the euro
In a speech on 'The Creation of the Euro and the New International Monetary Order: A View from Switzerland' given on 4 June, Jean-Pierre Roth of the Swiss National Bank said the introduction of the euro has been a very positive development for the…
Germany's Weber on financial stability
In a speech on 'Financial Stability and Globalisation' at the Second Conference of the Monetary Stability Foundation given on 3 June, Axel Weber of the Bundesbank said it is his wish that the conference will ultimately help to improve understanding of…
Fed's Kohn on the outlook for inflation
In a speech on 'The Outlook for Inflation' given on 4 June, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said that the inflation in the United States will remain modest despite a hike in energy prices.
Dallas Fed's McTeer: Topspin
In a speech on 'Topspin' given on 30 May, Bob McTeer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said we are all very lucky to be part of an economy still based largely on the economic and political ideals of Adam Smith and Thomas Jefferson. That ideal being…
The Netherlands Bank - Annual Report 2003
The Netherlands Bank has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. The world economy is growing at a rate not seen for years. The dynamism manifest in the United States and the Asian region is particularly vigorous, it says. Under the…