Monetary Policy
Rise of services in advanced economies weakens transmission of monetary policy, paper argues
The transmission of monetary policy in advanced economies is weakened by the greater prominence of services, a Bank of Spain working paper argues; researchers use data from US
Colombian central bank should examine transmission in greater detail – paper
Colombian banks with higher levels of solvency “less sensitive” to changes in policy rate authors say; central bank should go into “greater detail” when examining policy transmission
Brexit a factor in BoJ’s decision to ease – deputy governor
Uncertainties from abroad, notably the UK’s vote to leave the EU, are weighing on the Japanese economy, and were a factor behind “enhanced” easing in July, Kikuo Iwata says
BoE launches broad Brexit response
Central bank wields all its main tools and some new ones as the effects of Brexit begin to appear; aims to support transmission mechanism amid extraordinary measures
BoJ board members see hope in wages and oil prices – June minutes
Policy board members point to third year of wage rises and higher oil prices as hopeful indications of a turnaround in prices, though expectations are weak and consumer sentiment worsening
RBNZ stands by decision to end embargoed lock-ups
RBNZ commissions review into different options for providing key releases to journalists ahead of time; decides costs outweigh benefits, and reaffirms decision to scrap the practice
Chilean minutes show widespread support for holding policy
Board unanimously votes to hold rates; one member sees tightening cycle ending, while another says lowering rates is “beyond reason”
BoE seen as ‘boxed in’ ahead of MPC vote
Forward guidance from MPC members has laid the ground work for a rate cut or other form of easing; even if the effect of a cut is minimal, a hold decision would be worse, says former committee member
Larger changes in policy statements lead to more volatility – paper
Research considers how much similarity in central bank statements on monetary policy matters for their reception
RBA cuts as housing risks posed by lower rates ‘diminish’
Reserve Bank of Australia cuts by a further 25bp to 1.5%, after annual CPI inflation drops to 1% in June; growth in lending for housing has "slowed a little"
Dudley: market expectations may be ‘too complacent’
Federal Reserve Bank of New York president says the Fed will probably need to hike more than once before the end of 2017 if the economy evolves as expected; warns of "insufficient weight” on upside
Cœuré: central bankers must be mindful of possible ‘economic lower bound’
Negative interest rates in the eurozone have not reached an “economic lower bound”, Benoît Cœuré says; support from governments’ policies and commercial banks’ business models is needed
BoJ boosts ETF purchases in face of global uncertainty
The Bank of Japan nearly doubles pace of ETF purchases to ¥6 trillion per year, and introduces measures to smooth funding in foreign currencies; stock market and exchange rate rise on the announcement
Fed holds as near-term risks ‘diminish’
FOMC says near-term risks to US outlook have diminished, while economic activity is expanding at a “moderate pace”; keeps policy unchanged, but statement sees increasing odds of a hike this year
Helicopters bearing gifts
As QE and negative rates run out of room, helicopter money could be a last resort for overstretched central banks. But its detractors say the cost of its use could be very high
Turkish governor says monetary policy will be simplified at ‘reasonable’ time
Turkish governor emphasises need to address “structural” causes of inflation and says effects of recent coup attempt should prove “short-lived"
Nepal to introduce interest corridor in August
There will be an initial large ‘wedge’ between rates when first introduced, official says; policy rate and floor of corridors set in relation to interbank average
Njoroge cites need to anchor expectations as Central Bank of Kenya holds
Monetary policy committee keeps policy rate at 10.5%; increase in fuel tax expected to put temporary pressure on prices, but not to push inflation outside target range
Turkish central bank to meet with investors under new comms practices
Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey announces string of new communication practices that will see it meet with wider range of stakeholders
Inflation expectations are part of QE transmission mechanism – BoE paper
Firms’ inflation expectations increase in response to QE, research finds; interventions played ‘modest’ role in stabilising inflation expectations in recent years
Sarb hiking cycle is paused, not stopped, governor stresses
South African Reserve bank delays further tightening in wake of more favourable inflation outlook; governor insists it is a ‘pause’ and should expectations change the MPC would act appropriately
RBNZ signals action ‘likely’ amid New Zealand dollar strength
Stronger than anticipated NZ dollar threatens ability to hit inflation target, RBNZ says; announcement triggers drop in currency
Monetary policy in Sweden needs to remain expansionary, Riksbank board says
Bank’s inflation forecasts are "sensitive" to international factors; executive board notes strengthening of economic activity
Growth risks push Mauritius MPC to cut by 40bp
Central bank cuts interest rates to 4%, amid risks arising from Brexit and potential volatility from US elections; reducing rate will support investment and encourage growth, says bank