Monetary Policy
Sweden hikes rates to highest level in five years
The Riksbank's rate-setting board on Tuesday decided to raise rates for the fourth time this year by 25 basis points to 4%.
India increases reserve ratio to dampen inflation
The Reserve Bank of India has hiked its cash reserve ratio from 7% to 7.5% in an effort to curb inflation. The revised ratio, which was announced as part of its mid-term review of annual policy for the 2007/08 financial year, will apply from 10 November.
Norway leaves key rate at 5%
The Bank of Norway's executive board decided on Wednesday to keep its benchmark sight deposit rate at 5%.
Poland holds rates
The National Bank of Poland's rate-setting council decided to hold rates on Wednesday after data revealed economic growth will be slightly weaker than expected.
Monetary policy must put inflation first: Weber
Monetary policy's primary role is to guarantee price stability, said Axel Weber, the president of the Bundesbank.
Fed cuts rates despite strong growth
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decided on Wednesday to cut the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4.5% in spite of better-than-expected economic growth for the third quarter.
Japan rate hike unlikely after unemployment rises
The Bank of Japan's plans to raise rates may have to be put on hold again after government data on Tuesday revealed a 0.2% increase in the unemployment rate.
Hungary holds rates at 7.5%
The National Bank of Hungary's rate-setting board voted on Monday to keep its benchmark central bank base rate at 7.5%.
Israel leaves rates at 4%
The Bank of Israel's rate-setting board voted on Monday to hold its benchmark rate at 4%.
Norway's Gjedrem on monetary policy limitations
Monetary policy cannot influence real economic variables such as output and employment in the long run, according to Svein Gjedrem, the governor of the Central Bank of Norway.
Mexico unexpectedly hikes rates to 7.5%
The Bank of Mexico decided on Friday to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points.
Global events motivated Turkey's 50bp cut
The global economic slowdown expected to follow the credit crunch was behind the Turkish central bank's decision to cut its benchmark rate by 50 basis points earlier this month, minutes of the monetary policy meeting, published on Friday, reveal.
Why Poland's MPC held rates
According to minutes published on Friday, Poland's Monetary Policy Council (RPP) decided at its meeting on 25 and 26 September that as the medium term probability of inflation running above the inflation target (2.5% year-on-year) had fallen there was no…
Colombia holds rates at 9.25%
The Banco de la Republica decided on Friday to keep its benchmark rate at 9.25%.
Inflation behind first Brazil hold in two years
Fears that economic growth could lead to inflation were behind the Central Bank of Brazil's decision to hold rates for the first time since July 2005 earlier this month, minutes published on Thursday reveal.
Czechs hold rates at 3.25%
The Czech National Bank decided on Thursday to keep its benchmark two-week repo rate at 3.25%.
New Zealand leaves rates at 8.25%
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand decided on Thursday to hold its benchmark official cash rate at 8.25%.
Chavez takes control of Venezuelan Central Bank
The Venezuelan government has regained control of the central bank following a parliamentary vote on Wednesday.
Australian inflation stats make rate hike likely
A November rate hike looks a near certainty after Reserve Bank of Australia data showed a higher-than-expected percentage-point jump in inflation.
Polish governor was sole dissenter on rate vote
Slawomir Skrzypek, the governor of the National Bank of Poland, was the only member of the monetary policy council to vote against the decision to raise the benchmark interest rate to 4.75% in August.
Inflation expectations firmer in euro area than US
Long-run inflation expectations are anchored more firmly in the euro-area than in the US, according to research published by the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
Headline or core? It's not either-or says Mishkin
Both core and headline measures of inflation have an important role in monetary policy decisions, said Frederic Mishkin, a member of the board of governors at the Federal Reserve.
Chinese inflation eases from 11-year high
Chinese inflation fell slightly in September to 6.2%, after hitting an 11-year high of 6.5% in August.
Japan's Muto reiterates commitment to tightening
The Bank of Japan will raise rates as the economy improves and inflation picks up Toshiro Muto, a deputy governor at the Bank of Japan said on Friday.