Monetary Policy
Czechs hold rates at 3.25%
The Czech National Bank decided on Thursday to keep its benchmark two-week repo rate at 3.25%.
New Zealand leaves rates at 8.25%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand decided on Thursday to hold its benchmark official cash rate at 8.25%.
Chavez takes control of Venezuelan Central Bank
The Venezuelan government has regained control of the central bank following a parliamentary vote on Wednesday.
Australian inflation stats make rate hike likely
A November rate hike looks a near certainty after Reserve Bank of Australia data showed a higher-than-expected percentage-point jump in inflation.
Polish governor was sole dissenter on rate vote
Slawomir Skrzypek, the governor of the National Bank of Poland, was the only member of the monetary policy council to vote against the decision to raise the benchmark interest rate to 4.75% in August.
Inflation expectations firmer in euro area than US
Long-run inflation expectations are anchored more firmly in the euro-area than in the US, according to research published by the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
Headline or core? It's not either-or says Mishkin
Both core and headline measures of inflation have an important role in monetary policy decisions, said Frederic Mishkin, a member of the board of governors at the Federal Reserve.
Chinese inflation eases from 11-year high
Chinese inflation fell slightly in September to 6.2%, after hitting an 11-year high of 6.5% in August.
Japan's Muto reiterates commitment to tightening
The Bank of Japan will raise rates as the economy improves and inflation picks up Toshiro Muto, a deputy governor at the Bank of Japan said on Friday.
Brazil holds rates at record low
The Central Bank of Brazil decided to keep its benchmark Selic rate at 11.25% today as growth and inflation accelerated. It is the first time in 18 meetings that the central bank has voted against a rate cut.
Howard calls on RBA to focus on growth
John Howard, the Australian prime minister preparing for an election in November, put pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia to maintain economic growth.
Does monetary policy impact banking spreads?
The nominalisation of interest rates has led to a breakdown in the relationship between banking spreads and monetary policy in Chile, argues a paper from the central bank.
Turkey lowers rates for second consecutive month
The Central Bank of Turkey slashed its benchmark rate by 50 basis points following September's surprise quarter-point cut.
Minutes show BoE board split on rate decision
David Blanchflower, a member of the monetary policy committee at the Bank of England, called for a rate cut at October's meeting, the minutes published on Wednesday reveal.
Canada keeps rates at 4.5%
The Bank of Canada said on Tuesday that it would hold its target for the overnight rate at 4.5%.
September's cut has helped markets, says Bernanke
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said that September's 50-basis point cut has alleviated the credit crunch.
China hikes reserve requirements to curb lending
The People's Bank of China said on Saturday that it is raising its reserve requirement ratio in order to limit loan growth and inflation.
Bernanke and Kohn commend monetary policy pioneer
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Donald Kohn, the Fed's vice chairman, praised John Taylor, a professor at Stanford University, for his contribution to monetary policy.
Impact of deepening is complex: Italy's Visco
Financial deepening has affected the speed and strength of the monetary policy transmission mechanism, according to Ignazio Visco, a deputy director at the Bank of Italy.
Chile holds rates at 5.75%
The Central Bank of Chile's policy board voted to keep its benchmark rate at 5.75% despite mounting concern over rising inflation.
Korea holds rates at highest level for six years
The Bank of Korea's rate-setting board decided to leave its benchmark rate at a six-year high of 5% on Thursday.
Japan holds rates at 0.5%
The Bank of Japan's rate-setting committee voted eight to one in favour of maintaining their benchmark rate at about 0.5% on Thursday.
South Africa hikes rates by 50 basis points
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) surprised markets on Thursday, pushing its benchmark rate up by half a percentage point to 10.5%.
Singapore continues currency appreciation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore said on Thursday that it would continue to strengthen the value of the Singapore dollar relative to its US counterpart.