Monetary Policy
ECB likely to shy away from rate cut, analysts say
Central bank expected to unveil targeted measures to support banks and SMEs
BoE launches package of Covid-19 response measures
UK central bank cuts policy rate and countercyclical capital buffer, and unveils measures to support lending
Iceland cuts rates to 2.25%
Rate cut and changes to reserve requirements designed to offset virus shock
RBNZ prepares unconventional policy tools
Central bank is not planning to use them yet, governor stresses
Riksbank to focus on liquidity against Covid-19
Governor Ingves says a rate cut is not the most important measure now
IMF’s Gopinath advises central banks on cocktail of measures to fight virus
IMF chief economist says central banks should stand ready to provide liquidity
Fed ramps up Covid-19 response
Central bank in “firefighting mode”, undoing repo tapering and offering regulatory relief to banks
Covid-19 unleashes major market shock
Oil prices tumble, dragging down stock markets worldwide; sovereign bonds rally
Coronavirus could require expanded QE powers – Rosengren
Congress should grant Fed ability to buy wider set of assets under severe scenario, Rosengren says
Fed action likely to affect policy plans in Brazil and Mexico
In spite of weaker currencies, both countries may require lower rates to tackle weaker growth and higher rate differentials
Bank of Thailand relaxes forex regulation amid virus shock
Thai central bank is expected to ease monetary policy again to boost economy after slashing rates to record low in February
Cyprus central bank adopts Franco-Spanish treasury system
Banque de France and Bank of Spain encourage all eurozone central banks to use system
Monetary policy is not ‘impotent’ – BoE’s Broadbent
Scepticism is “overdone” and may encourage inaction, deputy governor says
Bank of Canada follows Fed with coronavirus rate cut
It is “becoming clear” virus will impact growth more than previously expected, central bank says
What can the ECB do now?
Central bank is facing coronavirus shock with limited room for further policy measures
Riksbank’s Breman says coronavirus does not demand looser policy yet
Swedish central bank abandoned negative rates in December; inflation declined sharply in January
ECB’s asset purchases had global spillovers – IMF research
Eurozone investors significantly rebalanced into foreign advanced-economy securities, researchers find
Fed makes surprise rate cut
Move against coronavirus marks largest rate change since the 2008 financial crisis
Above-target inflation ‘essential’ for dual mandate – Chicago Fed’s Evans
Evans is second senior Fed official to back new inflation-targeting approach in recent weeks
Eurozone inflation falls to 1.2% in February
Lower energy prices were the main factor behind the decline, core inflation edged slightly higher
Asia-Pacific central banks act to cushion coronavirus shock
RBA and Bank Negara Malaysia cut rates; Bank Indonesia steps in to support markets
Trump urges Fed to act on coronavirus
Fed should “cut rate big” and follow moves made by other central banks, Trump says
Inflation targets back in the spotlight
Monetary policy can do little to offset the impact of Covid-19
Knot warns of drawbacks of negative rates
Consumers are increasing their savings rather than their consumption