Monetary policy decisions
Fed's Rosengren warns against exceeding full employment
Boston Fed president says significantly overshooting full employment, which he estimates at 4.7%, could lead to an overheating economy and “rapid removal” of monetary policy accommodation
Bank of England to react ‘more cautiously’ to data in light of EU referendum
Uncertainty over referendum to affect macroeconomic data over next few months; inflation rising but still well below BoE target
Canada holds rate but raises growth forecast in light of fiscal boost
Stephen Poloz highlights “more favourable policy mix” in press conference; central bank notes emergence of “positive forces” in decision
Bank of Thailand frets over zero lower bound
Minutes show latest policy decision influenced by worries over financial imbalances and perceived need to maintain “policy space” in event of economic hit
ECB had to act to forestall fall in inflation expectations, Praet says
The ECB had to expand its unconventional monetary policy to prevent a downward shift in long-term eurozone inflation expectations, Peter Praet says; inaction of others “no excuse”
Dudley hits back at plans to curb Fed discretion
New York Fed chief says plans to force Fed to follow a monetary policy rule would lead to “significant policy errors”; supports transparency, but within bounds
Angolan central bank hikes again amid soaring inflation
Inflation breaches 20% in February prompting central bank to raise interest rates to 14%; new governor continues tightening cycle in attempt to curb prices
Weidmann says latest ECB package went ‘too far’
Bundesbank president says the council was agreed on the need to act in the wake of weaker economic projections, but the eventual measures, including an expansion of QE, were too much
RBNZ investigating possible leak
Central bank launches external investigation, after former RBNZ economist was told there would be an unexpected rate cut before the decision was made public
IMF staff praise Colombian policy mix as central bank hikes by another 25bp
Co-ordinated policy action is supporting “orderly adjustment” in Colombia’s economy, IMF staff say, including good pass-through of rate hikes; central bank continues to tighten
Sarb hikes rate despite split decision on MPC
Monetary policy committee decides to raise key rate by 25bp after an initial 3:3 split; concerns over inflation remain for some members
ECB launches ‘comprehensive package’ as inflation outlook worsens
Mario Draghi announces cuts in interest rates and an expansion to the ECB’s asset-purchase programme, as well as a second TLTRO package, larger than the original
Namibia hikes to ‘align’ rates in region
Bank of Namibia hikes by 25bp to 6.75%, following decision in South Africa in January after depreciation of rand hit inflation outlook
Soaring inflation sees Mozambique hike by 100bp
Inflation reaches 11.25% in January as a result of food-price shock; central bank hikes while government attempts to focus on other figures