Monetary Policy
Russian central bank cuts discount rate
The central bank of Russia cut its discount rate from 10.5% to 10% on 19 June.
ECB's Weber acknowledges risks to price stability
Risks to price stability will continue while the average inflation rate in 2007 and 2008 are above the European Central Bank's inflation guidelines, Axel Weber a member of the central bank's governing council said in an interview over the weekend.
Kenya's central bank cuts key rate to 8.5%
The Central Bank of Kenya cut one of its key interest rates to 8.5 from 10% in an attempt move it further in line with other policy rates.
Japanese rates on hold
The Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Committee decided on 15 June, by a unanimous vote, to leave interest rates at 0.5%.
Rates on hold in Chile
Chile's central bank held its overnight lending rate unchanged for a fifth month in a row, but suggested that higher interest rates may be necessary later this year as inflation accelerates.
The political economy of the MPC - Tucker
In this keynote address to a conference on "Inflation Targeting, Central Bank Independence and Transparency" at the University of Cambridge, Paul Tucker, a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), discusses the political economy…
Stevens raises inflation spectre
Inflation is more likely to rise during 2008 than to recede, according to Glenn Stevens, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Examining monetary policy press conferences
This ECB working paper studies how explanations of monetary policy decisions at press conferences are perceived by financial markets, and finds that ECB press conferences provide substantial additional information to financial markets beyond that…
Trichet says monetary policy still accommodative
Speaking to the European parliament on Monday, Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the ECB, said monetary policy was accommodative even after the recent quarter-point rate rise.
King warns on inflationary pressures
Mervyn King served notice that rates may have to rise even though the Bank of England sees inflation as likely to drop back this year from March's breach of the 3% target.
Prospects for India's economy - Reddy
The Reserve Bank of India will try contain inflation at close to 5%, said Dr Y.V. Reddy, the central bank's governor, in a speech in Chile.
Fed's Hoenig on recent economic developments
US economic conditions will improve in the coming months, said an optimistic Tom Hoenig, CEO of the Kansas City Fed.
Ireland's Hurley on monetary policy
Ireland has benefited from the euro, explained John Hurley, the governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, but challenges remain in dealing with rising credit growth and housing prices.
Weber on monetary policy and communication
Communication is an important element in fostering the effectiveness of monetary policy, explained Axel Weber, the president of Germany's Bundesbank.
Trichet's verdict on euro hopefuls
Speaking at a press conference after the ECB's rate rise last week, Jean-Claude Trichet, gave his assessment of countries striving to join the euro.
NZ dollar falls after central bank sales
New Zealand's dollar fell against the US dollar and yen as the Reserve Bank of New Zealand intervened to sell the kiwi.
SARB raises rates as inflation soars
The South African Reserve Bank raised the key repo interest rate by 50 basis points to 9.5% on 7 June, after inflation surged through the upper band of the central bank's 3% to 6% target range in April.
South Korea keeps key rate unchanged at 4.5%
The central bank of South Korea today decided to keep its key interest rate steady for the tenth month in succession, in an effort to boost economic recovery.
Peru's rates steady as inflation remains subdued
Peru's central bank yesterday held the overnight lending rate unchanged for the thirteenth consecutive month at its five-year high of 4.5%. Infaltion remains low and stable, despite rapid economic growth.
NZ interest rate up to record 8%
The markets were taken by surprise on 7 June when the New Zealand central bank raised its key interest rate to a record 8% from 7.75%, in efforts to stem inflation.
Indonesia cuts for twelfth time since May 2006
As widely expected, Bank Indonesia reduced its policy interest rate - used as a reference for bill sales - by a quarter point to 8.5% today, taking advantage of the lowest inflation rate in six months. It was the twelfth rate cut since May 2006.
Brazil cuts lending rate to record low of 12%
Following the recovery of the Brazilian currency, which has held inflation at an eight-year low, the central bank lowered the benchmark lending rate by half a percentage point to a record low of 12%.
Bank of England maintains bank rate at 5.5%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to maintain the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 5.5%.
Australia keeps rate at six-year high
Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, announced on 6 June that the central bank would keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the sixth meeting in succession. Rates remain unchanged at a six-year high of 6.25%.