Monetary Policy
Economists debate monetary financing of China’s government debt
PBoC adviser dismisses idea of monetising government bonds despite calls from Ministry of Finance think-tank
Final Fed lending facilities to go live this month
Complexity of main street facility has been “in a class by itself”, Jerome Powell says, as lawmakers criticise delays
Pressure builds on central banks to ‘monetise’ sovereign debt
Sarb is the latest institution facing calls to directly purchase Covid-19 related government debt
Most Fed emergency funds not yet spent, lawmakers find
Less than 8% of the $500bn set aside for Fed and Treasury lending has been spent, report finds
Norwegian governor says negative rates are unlikely
Øystein Olsen says it is “uncertain how negative rates will influence the economy”
The ECB, the lockdown and the monetary financing lock
The eurozone’s central bank may need to break its prohibition on monetary financing to fight the pandemic
Eurozone saw limited price convergence from 2001–11 – Bank of Spain
Researchers say this limited long-term alignment should be added to central bank policy framework
PBoC’s post-pandemic policy is still up in the air
The Chinese central bank has resisted radical easing, but with the NPC meeting this week, more loosening could be on the way, despite debt-level concerns, writes Hui Feng
Mexican central bank cuts rates but stays cautious on inflation
Falling peso and supply disruptions make inflation outlook “uncertain” despite recession, board says
Fed not considering negative rates – Powell
More fiscal support may be needed, as Fed’s lending will only be effective “for a while”, says Fed chair
RBNZ nearly doubles asset purchase programme
Policy-makers aim to front-load stimulus as economy faces “significant and unprecedented decline”
German court leaves Bundesbank caught between two legal decisions
Ruling may hamper ECB’s new PEPP programme as it is not constrained by PSPP limits
Fed will begin ETF purchases today
Central bank outlines fund selection strategy but keeps investors guessing on specifics
Sri Lankan central bank threatens regulatory action to bring down rates
CBSL cuts rates again and warns banks they must pass lower rates on to customers
Fed set to adopt ‘elements’ of price-level targeting
Covid-19 could act as a catalyst for a Janet Yellen-supported Fed move to adopt elements of price-level targeting. But questions remain about the timing of such a move
Norway’s central bank cuts policy rate to zero
Norges Bank’s move brings rate to record low, as central bank warns of “substantial” shock
BoE predicts sharp fall and fast recovery for UK
Forecasters predict limited long-term scarring from virus shock; banks are in strong position to lend, stress test finds
Sri Lankan central bank looks back at ‘dismal’ year
Economy was just recovering from terrorist attacks when Covid-19 hit, CBSL says
RBA holds rate and reveals forecast scenarios
Cash rate target remains at 0.25%; RBA maintains three-year bond yield target at 0.25%
Bank Negara Malaysia cuts rate as global outlook darkens
Fresh easing measures come as central bank foresees “particularly challenging” first half of year
Fed could purchase $750 billion of corporate debt in new facilities
Fed clears staff to purchase investment- and non-investment-grade debt and ETFs
Zimbabwean central bank cuts rates and attempts currency controls
RBZ loosens policy as IMF predicts massive contraction in GDP for already-weakened country
BoE eases funding terms as government launches ‘bounce back’ loans
Loans will be excluded from leverage ratio calculations
Debts, deficits, central banks and inflation
Forrest Capie and Geoffrey Wood ask what insights history can provide for central banks and governments managing abrupt, large increases in debt