United States
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, March 06
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for March 2006, published 20 April, was +0.37 in March, up from +0.19 in February.
Fed's Olson: Update on the U.S. economy
In the speech 'Update on the U.S. economy' given on 13 April Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said a low unemployment rate and high rates of resource use did not so far seem to be combining to push underlying inflation up.
U.S. may rethink size of IMF stake
According to this article published on Wednesday 19 April, the United States will consider reducing its voting stake in the International Monetary Fund as part of an overhaul that would require the lender to increase scrutiny of nations' currency…
FOMC minutes suggest end to rate rises
According to the minutes of the Federal Reserve's meeting on 27-28 March released on Tuesday 18 April, policy-makers felt that the U.S. central bank was nearly finished raising interest rates, but remained worried about potential inflation risks.
Bernanke sees energy effects fading
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said in a letter published on Monday 17 April that the increase in energy prices since late 2003 will not have a lasting impact on U.S. inflation as long as the Federal Reserve conducts policy appropriately.
Fed to consolidate payments system committees
The Federal Reserve Board announced on Wednesday 19 April the consolidation of two internal advisory committees on payments system matters.
Fed's Kohn on the economic outlook
In the speech 'Economic outlook' given on 13 April Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said the U.S. central bank was focused on keeping inflation curbed though he anticipates the pace of economic growth will ease in coming months.
Ferguson on financial stability & central banking
In the speech 'Thoughts on financial stability and central banking' given on 17 April Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said asset price volatility may have increased in recent years as real economic shocks have moderated, but central banks should…
Transparency, expectations, and forecasts
Since 1994 the Federal Open Market Committee has increased the transparency about its economic outlook. This paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta investigates whether this transparency has helped private agents improve their economic forecasts.
Fed comments and data point to one more increase
According to this article published on Tuesday 18 April, recent comments from Federal Reserve officials and the latest economic data continue to suggest that the cycle of US interest rate increases will come to an end next month.
Stone on the national & regional economic outlook
In the speech 'National and regional economic outlook' given on 6 April William Stone of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said the Federal Reserve must remain vigilant on inflation, but for now incoming data can guide future policy moves.
Dallas Fed's Fisher on global competition
In the speech 'Racing to the top: How global competition disciplines public policy' given on 11 April Richard Fisher of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said globalization has helped to cut U.S. inflation, but has not helped governments to control…
Fed's Olson on compliance-risk management
In the speech 'Enterprise-wide compliance-risk management' given on 10 April Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said banks and other financial services firms need to bolster their compliance and risk management activities by turning them into…
Fed policy makers behind closed doors
This article published on Wednesday 12 April looks at the recently published transcripts of minutes from the FOMC meetings in 2000. Behind the scenes, our central bankers and their advisers let their hair down a bit, it says.
Greenspan says global imbalances can improve
Former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan told a conference on Wednesday 12 April that global economic imbalances could improve if high-growth economies allowed their currencies to strengthen.
Forecasts pivotal given lags says Fed's Stern
Minneapolis Fed President Gary Stern said on Tuesday 11 April that economic forecasts are vital to the Federal Reserve's decision making because of the delay between policy moves and their economic impact.
Who directs the Federal Reserve Banks?
The Financial Markets Center's tenth annual analysis of Reserve Bank boards of directors, published Monday 10 April, shows that turnover has increased since 2005 while representation of labour and consumer interests remains modest.
Fed's Bies on recent regulatory proposals
In the speech 'A risk-management perspective on recent regulatory proposals' given on 10 April Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said that banking supervisors were concerned that lenders might be relaxing some terms more than was healthy for them…
Richmond Fed's Economic Quarterly, Winter 2006
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond has published its Economic Quarterly for Winter 2006. The latest issue includes the article 'Discretionary policy and multiple equilibria'.
NY Fed's Geithner on risk management challenges
In the speech 'Risk management challenges in a changing financial environment' given on 5 April Timothy Geithner of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said economic stability should not make investors complacent to the possibility of future financial…
St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, April 2006
The Regional Economist, April 2006 edition, from the St Louis Fed includes the article "Is the U.S. current account deficit dangerous?". Although this deficit has been rising steadily since the early 1990s, a "hard landing" for the U.S. economy is…
Columbia economist linked to Fed board
The Federal Reserve is reported to be considering appointing former Columbia University economist and ex-Federal Reserve Bank of New York senior staff member Frederic Mishkin as vice chairman of the Fed's board.
Fed's Poole: Inflation rise difficult to reverse
William Poole said on Friday 7 April that it would be more difficult for the Federal Reserve to deal with a spike in inflation than a softening of growth.
Chicago Fed's Moskow on the US economic outlook
In the speech 'U.S. economic outlook and the current account deficit' given on 6 April Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said the U.S. economic outlook looks good for the next couple of years, with growth self-sustaining and inflation…