Monetary policy decisions
European central banks opt to hold
Albania, Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia and Sweden keep rates constant
ECB holds and faces dilemma of whether to hike in June
Lagarde says direction is ‘clear’ as Iran conflict worsens outlook for inflation and growth
Bank of Canada holds amid surging petrol prices
Growth projections largely unchanged as long-term effects of Iran war remain unclear
Thailand holds policy as expected
BoT says Middle East conflict has had direct impact on domestic growth
BoJ holds rates and halves growth forecast
Three dissenting votes mark largest split under Ueda, who points to ‘significantly’ higher inflation
BSP tightens to fight inflation caused by Middle East conflict
Governor says easing cycle is over as bank forecasts price rises of 6.1% this year and 4.1% in 2027
Indonesia holds policy as rupiah stabilisation efforts continue
BI says impact of Middle East conflict continues to affect currency’s value
PBoC leaves loan prime rates unchanged for eleventh month
Widely expected move comes after Pan reiterates ‘moderately loose’ policy stance
Singapore tightens policy for first time in four years
MAS notes ‘considerable risks’ to inflation and growth outlook since start of Middle East conflict
BoK holds as energy prices drive up inflation
Governor expects ‘considerable’ wait before supply chains return to pre-war levels
Poland and Serbia hold rates
Both central banks cite effects of Middle East conflict in explaining policy decisions
Governor says RBNZ will tighten policy if inflation rises
Central bank holds and offers ‘uncertain’ estimate of inflation being well above target
Norges Bank holds and signals future rate hikes
Job of tackling inflation ‘has not been fully completed’, says governor
Czech Republic, Moldova, Sweden and Ukraine all hold
Riksbank also lowers rate for supplementary liquidity facility as liquidity starts to dry up
Central banks in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan hold rates
Taiwan tilts hawkish, Hong Kong follows Fed and China expected to ease by 10bp this year
ECB holds rates, predicts 2.6% inflation for 2026
Lagarde presents gloomy outlook for eurozone inflation and growth as energy prices spike
Bank of England holds rates and hints at hikes
MPC member says UK economy ‘damaged’ by energy shock as war triggers first unanimous vote since 2021
SNB holds rates, vows to fight franc appreciation
Bank says short-term inflation pressures are high but will remain ‘virtually unchanged’ in medium term
BoJ holds as Middle East conflict threatens higher inflation
Ueda says Japanese firms could pass on costs ‘more aggressively’ than after start of Ukraine war
Iceland hikes rates by 25bp
Inflation continues to rise as central bank aims to pre-empt effects of energy shock
Indonesia holds rates and adjusts FX rules to stabilise rupiah
BI says Middle East conflict provides greater reason for fiscal-monetary policy co-ordination