Research
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, December 2003
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) December 2003 was published on 29 January. The December CFNAI was +0.13 in December, the fourth consecutive positive monthly reading.
'The monetary policy of the ECB': 2nd edition
The European Central Bank published the second edition of "The monetary policy of the ECB" on 30 January. The publication aims to provide the public with a comprehensive overview of the ECB's monetary policy and its economic and institutional background.
Basel: Changes to the securitisation framework
In response to public comments on the third consultative paper (CP3) of the New Basel Accord, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision announced in October 2003 plans to revise the internal ratings-based (IRB) approach to securitisation exposures. The…
Sveriges Riksbank Economic Review 4th Quarter 2003
The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Economic Review for the 4th Quarter 2003. The Review includes articles "Crisis exercises make for crisis readiness," "Payment system efficiency and pro-competitive regulation" and asks "Is 'wage drift' a problem?".
Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 15 and 16 December 2003, released 23 January. The bank's Policy Board agreed that the currency market needed close monitoring although some members felt the economic impact of the high yen had…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, January 2004
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its January 2004 Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments on 22 January. It raised its assessment of the economy, saying strong exports are boosting output and beginning to filter…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, January 2004
The European Central Bank published its January 2004 Monthly Bulletin on 22 January. In the report the ECB spelt out its concern over currency volatility but showed no sign it might change its outlook for a gradual economic upturn in the eurozone.
Bank of Canada Monetary Policy Report Update
The Bank of Canada released its Update to the October Monetary Policy Reporton 22 January. The report discusses economic and financial trends in the context of Canada's inflation-control strategy.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Jan 2004
The recent improvement in the region's manufacturing sector continued into the new year, according to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, January 2004.
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, January 2004
The Federal Reserve released its January 2004 survey of Current Economic Conditions, known as the Beige Book, on 14 January. The survey suggested the rebound in the U.S. economy is gaining momentum, fuelled by last-minute holiday shopping in December.
Bank of Japan semi-annual monetary report
Japan's economic activity remained virtually flat in the first half of fiscal 2003, the Bank of Japan's Semi-annual Report on Currency and Monetary Control showed.
Sources of exchange rate fluctuations in S Africa
IMF Working Paper on the "Sources of Nominal Exchange Rate Fluctuations in South Africa" published December 2003.
St Louis Fed's Regional Economist, January 2004
The Quarterly Review of Business and Economic Conditions, The Regional Economist, January edition from the St Louis Fed includes the article "Another jobless recovery" which asks whether the U.S. economy is undergoing fundamental changes.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Dec 2003
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published its quarterly Bulletin for December 2003. The December issue of the Bulletin contains three articles, and two speeches delivered over recent months by the Bank's Governor.
RBA reseach paper on the Phillips curve
The Reserve bank of Australia has issued a research discussion paper on the real-time forecasting performance of the Phillips curve.
Predicting euro-area recessions
This ECB working paper looks at the informational content of the slope of theyield curve as a predictor of recessions in the euro area.
International Research Forum on monetary policy
The second conference organised by the International Research Forum on Monetary Policy was held at the Federal Reserve Board on November 14-15, 2003.
Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, Winter 2003
The Bank of England released its Quarterly Bulletin, Winter 2003, on 19 December. Among articles included in the Bulletin are "The distribution of unsecured debt in the United Kingdom: survey evidence," "The macroeconomic impact of revitalising the…
Bank of Canada Financial System Review, Dec 2003
The Bank of Canada published its semi-annual Financial System Review on 17 December. An improving economic environment and a stabilization in corporate credit quality have contributed to better results for financial institutions, it said. The risks…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, December 2003
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its December 2003 Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments on 18 December. The BoJ said that it expects the Japanese economy to continue its export-led recovery at a slow pace. "Japan…
Bank of England MPC Minutes 3/4 December 2003
Minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting were released on 17 December for the meeting of 3 and 4 December 2003. Eight members of the MPC thought that rates should remain at 3.75 per cent while Sir Andrew Large, one of the Bank…
ECB Monthly Bulletin, December 2003
The European Central Bank published its December 2003 Monthly Bulletin on 11 December. The ECB maintained its forecast for 2003 inflation at 2.1pc, but lowered its forecast for 2005 inflation to 1.6pc from 1.7pc. But it repeated that official interest…
Bank of England Financial Stability Review, Dec 03
The Bank of England published its latest Financial Stability Review for December 2003 on Thursday 11 December. It contains the Bank's regular half-yearly review of risks to financial stability and measures taken to strengthen the financial infrastructure…
Growth down inflation up, predicts ECB
The European Central Bank's December monthly report released on Thursday 11 December increased its inflation forecasts for 2004 to a range of between 1.3 - 2.3 per cent for the euro area, reports EUpolitix, a figure revised significantly upwards from the…