Monetary Policy
Canada's Longworth on monetary policy
In the speech 'Monetary policy: One instrument, one target' given on 29 September David Longworth of the Bank of Canada said the Canadian economy will feel only a modest impact from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but higher oil prices will result in a…
SF Fed's Yellen on US economy and monetary policy
In the speech 'The US economy and monetary policy' given on 27 September Janet Yellen of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco said the Fed must uphold its pledge to keep inflation subdued, suggesting US interest rates would continue to rise.
Fed hikes rates again, but Olson dissents
The FOMC decided on Tuesday 20 September to raise its target for the federal funds rate to 3.75%. In a statement it maintained its 'measured' pace for removing policy accommodation and revealed that Mark Olson had voted to keep rates unchanged.
Bank of England's MPC united on rate vote
Minutes from the Bank of England's 7 and 8 September meeting released on Wednesday 21 September showed policy makers voted unanimously to keep interest rates unchanged.
Nickell on practical issues in UK monetary policy
In the speech 'Practical issues in UK monetary policy, 2000-2005' given on 20 September, Stephen Nickell of the Bank of England said the Bank could not have prevented Britain's house-price boom without harming economic growth.
South Africa plans no change to inflation target
Treasury Director General Lesetja Kganyago has said South Africa has no plans to modify its inflation targeting framework to aim for the middle of the established three to six per cent target range.
Monetary policy predictability in the euro area
This Norges Bank Working Paper evaluates the ability of market participants to anticipate monetary policy decisions in the euro area and in 13 other countries.
Policymaking on the FOMC: Transparency, Continuity
This Economic Letter is adapted from remarks by Janet Yellen, President and CEO of the San Francisco Fed, made on 31 May. Yellen says over the past decade, the FOMC has continually re-assessed the costs and benefits of various steps toward greater…
Fed will raise rates and indicate more to come
According to an article published on Monday 19 September, the Federal Reserve's FOMC committee will increase interest rates on Tuesday, with financial markets gradually accepting that the effect of Hurricane Katrina won't deter them.
BoE's Walton on monetary policy challenges
In the speech 'Monetary policy challenges facing a new MPC member' given on 16 September David Walton of the Bank of England said it has been a very interesting, and challenging, time to join the MPC.
Comment: Divergence and monetary policy
The issue of regional economic divergence continues to attract much attention from policymakers and academics studying the eurozone. The issue is particularly important for the ECB, as it is often mentioned that divergent economic performance across…
BOJ's Iwata repeats inflation target call
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kazumasa Iwata said Thursday 15 September that the central bank should adopt a specific inflation target to boost transparency in monetary policy and fend off excessive market speculation after its quantitative easing…
SNB's Hildebrand says rate hikes may be needed
Swiss National Bank board member Philipp Hildebrand said it may be necessary to increase interest rates further if it becomes clear that a 'sustainable improvement of economic prospects' is occurring.
Report says Fed rate pause 'not ruled out'
Federal Reserve officials say they are watching to see how financial markets and the economy react to the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina before deciding on what action to take at their policy-setting meeting on Sept. 20, the Wall Street Journal…
BOK will 'seriously' consider rate hike next month
Bank of Korea governor Park Seung said the central bank may raise its benchmark interest rate as early as next month as it needs to act before a full economic recovery.
U.K. interest rates are heading for a decline
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee will decide on UK interest rates this Thursday. This article published on Wednesday 7 September suggests there will no surprise when the MPC leaves interest rates unchanged at 4.5 per cent, but rates are…
Bank of Canada raises interest rates by 0.25%
The Bank of Canada announced on Wednesday 7 September that it is raising its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 2 3/4 per cent.
BSP not ruling out tighter money policy
The Philippines central bank (BSP) said it would not rule out a "possible tightening" of its monetary policy after August inflation figures showed the rate rose faster than expected.
PBOC advisor says maintain neutral monetary policy
Yu Yongding, a senior economist and member of the People's Bank of China's monetary policy committee said China should maintain a neutral monetary policy as any change soon could confuse markets.
Experiences of inflation targeting
A new IMF paper examines the experiences of inflation targeting countries and presents a number of "stylised facts" and conclusions for policy makers.
What remains of the SGP?
Franz-Christoph Zeitler, a member of the executive board of Deutsche Bundesbank, delivered a speech at the Salzburg seminar, a high-profile meeting place of international leaders, at which raised the question "What remains of the Stability and Growth…
Rupiah sinks on oil-price rise
The Indonesian rupiah has sunk to its lowest level since January 2002, following a week of rapid depreciation. Burhanuddin Abdullah, governor of Bank Indonesia, vowed to continue to defend the rupiah.
Kenya committee to advise on monetary operations
The Central Bank of Kenya will benefit from expert advice on how to implement monetary policy, following the establishment of a Monetary Policy Advisory Committee on August 24.
The yuan's stable float
Noises and signals continue to emerge from China about reforms to the exchange rate regime, but the central bank still appears to have a firm grip on the value of the yuan.