Monetary Policy
IMF paper on interest rates/ currency pegs
This IMF working paper studies a policy often used to defend a currency peg: raising short-term interest rates. A key implication of the model is that an interest rate defense can always be successful, but has great costs for domestic agents. Hence, it…
Berlusconi calls for ECB rate cut
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has called on the ECB to cut its interest rates, believing the euro to be over-valued against the dollar and complaining that it is hindering Italian exports by making them less competitive.
Buoyant economic growth predicted for Ireland
A study on the EU's future economic prospects has reportedly predicted that Ireland's economy will grow at twice the rate of the 12-nation eurozone over the coming years.
Fukui says rate rises reflect changing price trend
The recent surge in Japanese long-term interest rates reflects the changing trend of prices, but deflationary pressures remain within the Japanese economy, said Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui, according to Kyodo News.
Smallest euro coins running short- Bundesbank
Germany's central bank said on Tuesday 8 June that Europeans are refusing to pay with the small copper-coloured euro coins and letting them lie unused at home, leading to shortages in several eurozone countries.
Trichet says ECB vigilant on oil
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said the ECB has to be vigilant over the recent rise in oil prices, but is confident that inflation in the euro zone will be below 2 pct in 2005.
Sveriges Riksbank - Annual Report 2003
The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. Stability in the financial system continued to be good, the report said. The year also saw Lars Heikensten take office as the new governor and the no vote in the euro…
Japan's Muto on the cyclical recovery
In a speech on 'What lies beyond this cyclical recovery?' given on 7 June, Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said Japan's economy is still facing many challenges, particularly in the long run. On the other hand, prospects of a continued economic recovery…
Federal Reserve to close Friday
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., will be closed on Friday, June 11 in observance of the national day of mourning for former President Reagan.
Challenges to the Swiss financial center
In a speech on 'Facts and challenges to the Swiss financial center' given on 3 June, Philipp Hildebrand of the Swiss National Bank said the financial sector is a critical contributor to the vitality and resilience of the Swiss economy. Defending and…
Norway's Gjedrem on inflation targeting
In a speech on 'Inflation targeting - some theory with main focus on practice' given on 8 June, Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said Norges Bank placed increasing emphasis on low and stable inflation and a formal inflation target for monetary policy was…
Fed Reserve Bank of St Louis Review, May/Jun 2004
In the latest edition of the St Louis Fed's Review for May-June 2004, Fed economists Kevin Kliesen and Frank Schmid examine how announced changes in monetary policy actions and macroeconomic data releases affect the average rate of inflation that…
Bank of Canada keeps interest rate unchanged at 2%
The Bank of Canada announced on Tuesday 8 June that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 2 per cent. In a press release it said all things considered, the Bank's outlook for economic growth and core inflation is essentially unchanged…
Fed ready to guard price stability says Greenspan
The Federal Reserve will do "what is required" to keep inflation under control if it transpires the forecast behind its view that interest rates can rise gradually is wrong, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said Tuesday.
Central banks' annus horribilis
As policymaking institutions, central banks had a good 2003. The global economy turned up, the financial sector strengthened. As businesses though, 2003 was a disaster. The plunging dollar saw central banks around the world take huge hits on their…
The Netherlands Bank - Annual Report 2003
The Netherlands Bank has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. The world economy is growing at a rate not seen for years. The dynamism manifest in the United States and the Asian region is particularly vigorous, it says. Under the…
Dallas Fed's McTeer: Topspin
In a speech on 'Topspin' given on 30 May, Bob McTeer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said we are all very lucky to be part of an economy still based largely on the economic and political ideals of Adam Smith and Thomas Jefferson. That ideal being…
Fed's Kohn on the outlook for inflation
In a speech on 'The Outlook for Inflation' given on 4 June, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said that the inflation in the United States will remain modest despite a hike in energy prices.
Germany's Weber on financial stability
In a speech on 'Financial Stability and Globalisation' at the Second Conference of the Monetary Stability Foundation given on 3 June, Axel Weber of the Bundesbank said it is his wish that the conference will ultimately help to improve understanding of…
SNB's Roth on the creation of the euro
In a speech on 'The Creation of the Euro and the New International Monetary Order: A View from Switzerland' given on 4 June, Jean-Pierre Roth of the Swiss National Bank said the introduction of the euro has been a very positive development for the…
Moderate oil prices preferable - World Bank chief
World Bank President James Wolfensohn said at the conference 'Corporate Governance and Economic Growth in Russia', which opened in Moscow on Thursday 3 June, that moderate oil prices are better for the world economy in general.
BOJ, govt closer on economic policy says Takenaka
Japan's government and central bank now have closer ties, Economics and Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka said on Monday 7 June, citing a recent agreement among policymakers that by some views demands more accountability from the Bank of Japan.
PBOC's Zhou says watching prices -report
China's central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan said that the People's Bank of China will closely monitor any further changes in the consumer price index, according to a report published on Monday 7 June.
T&T central bank criticised over discrimination
Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj, has apparently criticised the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, citing it as an example of cultural discrimination in Trinidad and Tobago, according to a report by the Trinidad and…