Monetary Policy
Little EME volatility spillover from Fed/ECB balance sheets
Central bank policies had little impact on volatility in EMEs’ real markets – researchers
Lower rates link to higher exchange rate impact – BIS paper
Working paper finds monetary policy’s impact on the exchange rate has grown as rates have fallen
Monetary policy has inevitable fiscal effects – Willem Buiter
Former Bank of England official rails against fiscal theory of the price level in speech to RBI, but says monetary policy still cannot escape its fiscal dimension
New Zealand government reviews monetary policy process
Opposition pledges it will make major changes to central bank mandate if elected
Argentina’s central bank reverses course on interest rates
Central bank hikes rate on its 35-day Lebac bonds to 26.25% on the back of higher-than-expected inflation figures
Lebanese banking sector holding up, despite Syria crisis – central bank
The banking sector remains liquid and well capitalised despite a “strained” Lebanese economy, the central bank says; new compliance unit formed
Conservative monetary policy raises banking fragility – paper
Researchers apply a ‘central bank conservatism’ index to data from 73 countries
ECB bond-buying has had ‘significant’ impact on Bund market
The impact of PSPP purchases is substantially higher in stressed markets – Bundesbank paper
FOMC mulls ‘predictable’ balance sheet wind-down
One FOMC member says a “minimum pace” should be set for the reduction in mortgage-backed securities; committee will inform the public about its future plans for the balance sheet when the time comes
Czech National Bank abandons koruna floor
The central bank is likely to be happy with the market’s reaction, analyst says
Draghi and Praet say ECB will continue with QE
Praet says interest rates should remain low “past the horizon of our net asset purchases”
RBI makes fresh amendments to liquidity framework
Central bank continues reforms begun under Raghuram Rajan and asks government for new tools; markets still face “liquidity overhang” from demonetisation
BIS report: build liquidity co‑operation early to prepare for crisis
CGFS report urges central banks to build networks domestically and across borders to have liquidity ready for the next crisis
Sarb deputy says political uncertainty will affect policy normalisation
Mminele asks whether central banks will enforce notion of economic slack as forward guidance reaches limits; political uncertainty rocking the policy landscape
BoE’s Vlieghe: good policy is more than accurate forecasting
MPC member says doctors cannot forecast heart attacks, but are still pretty useful before and after the event
Icelandic leaders clash on possible peg
Prime minister challenges finance minister’s assertion that the krona needs to be pegged; government launches review of exchange rate policy
Uncertainty matters for forward guidance success – BoE paper
Authors show that introducing uncertainty generates significantly different macroeconomic effects, with implications for policymaking
Asset purchases could bring benefits in ‘normal’ times – paper
IMF working paper discusses whether asset purchases should be added to standard central bank toolkit; the policies seem more effective at combatting financial shocks than supply shocks
Haldane: central banks could ‘gamify’ communications
The game Monopoly could be the next tool in central bank’s communication toolbox, Haldane says, warning complex language breeds distrust
Fed’s Dudley discusses unwinding of balance sheet
Should reinvestment end “abruptly”, financial conditions would tighten, New York Fed president said; tapering “gradually and predictably” is the way to go, he adds
Inflation worries prompt further action from Mexico
Mexico slows pace of rate hikes amid inflation worries and volatile exchange rate; monetary policy committee will closely watch US economy, latest announcement says
Bank of Israel revamps policy communications
New approach to communicating monetary policy decisions as committee moves to an eight-meeting cycle
End of ‘hiking cycle’ has been reached – Sarb’s Kganyago
South African Reserve Bank publishes improved inflation forecast as the MPC votes to leave interest rates at 7%; uncertainty around the exchange rate is still a concern
Fed presidents lay ground for extra rate hike
Evans, Rosengren and Williams all signal the possibility of a fourth rate hike in 2017 if economy runs hot