Central Banking
The importance of monetary aggregates
This ECB working paper presents a strong argument in favour of using monetary aggregates as an analytical tool for predicting future inflation.
Why is the dollar so high?'
In this paper, Martin Feldstein, once considered a frontrunner to replace Alan Greenspan as chairman of the US Federal Reserve, argues that a decline of the real value of the dollar that is large enough to reduce the current account deficit significantly…
Estimating potential output - Fed's Mishkin
In this speech, Frederic Mishkin, a governor at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, provides a non-technical overview of academic research on the estimation of potential output, and important concept in monetary policy analysis.
New names for WB presidency
Some interesting names are being bandied about as potential replacements for Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank, when he steps down next month.
Turkey's Yilmaz issues inflation warning
Inflation is expected to exceed the 4% target set by the government for the end of the year, Durmus Yilmaz, the governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, has told the country's cabinet.
Eurozone business confidence dips
Analysts are suggesting that business confidence in the euro area may have peaked. The May figure for the widely-watched Ifo index was unchanged from a month earlier for Germany, but somewhat lower for France and Italy.
FSA issues hedge fund guidelines
In the latest development surrounding the regulation of hedge funds, the British Financial Services Authority (FSA) has issued guidelines clarifying its approach in four important areas of hedge fund regulation.
Japanese consumers to keep economy floating
The International Monetary Fund predicts an economic expansion in Japan of 2.3% this year, followed by 1.9% in 2008.
The future of UK regulation
In this speech, Dan Waters, director of Retail Policy at the Financial Services Authority, provides an overview of the main principles and applications of the authority's much-praised "principles-based" supervision.
A user's guide to derivatives data
This research note by US Federal Reserve discusses the potential use of newly-collected data on cross-border derivatives.
The Fund's changing role in Asia
In this speech, David Burton, director of the Asia & Pacific Department of the IMF, points out how the Fund's role in Asia has changed since the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and 1998.
Shareholders call for investigation on ABN Amro
A Dutch shareholders association has asked the European Internal Market Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, to investigate the Dutch central bank's recent actions in the ongoing takeover battle for ABN Amro.
New Riksbank Financial Stability Report
The Swedish Riksbank released its latest Financial Stability Report on 24 May. The central bank concludes that "profitability of the Swedish banks has continued to rise" and that they are in "a good position to cope with unexpected negative events."
World on the brink of higher inflation - OECD
Citing strong domestic demand as the main factor driving prices upward, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says central banks should "err on the side of tightness" in the face of inflationary pressure.
Germany defends ECB focus on money growth
Germany's Bundesbank has come out in stout defence of the European Central Bank, arguing that money supply figures - used by the ECB in making interest rate decisions - are helpful in identifying property market distortions.
Uncertainty surrounds Gulf monetary union
In the last week Kuwait and Oman have opted expand the range of currencies they peg their exchange rates to. These developments cast doubts over the gulf region's ability to meet its 2010 deadline for a monetary union.
Thai CB cuts rates again
In an effort to revitalise the economy, Thailand's central bank has cut interest rates for the fourth time since the start of 2007, reducing the one-day bond repurchase rate from 4% to 3.5%.
BoE contemplated 0.5% rate hike
The Bank of England considered raising interest rates by 50 basis points at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 9-10 May, the meeting's minutes showed.
PBoC deputy weighs in on exchange rate battles
With the US and China engaged in talks over the latter's large trade surplus, Su Ning, the deputy governor of the People's Bank of China has said that the surplus has not been caused by the yuan-dollar exchange rate but that the country nonetheless…
IMF wants Dominican CB bill passed
A delegation of the International Monetary Fund to the Dominican Republic has pushed for the country's congress to pass a bill to recapitalise the central bank with $200m.
Too strong rupee?
This article from the International Herald Tribune suggests that calls are mounting on the Reserve Bank of India to stem the strengthening of the rupee.
Policy pitfalls in an asset-dependent world
In this week's edition of his weekly market commentary Morgan Stanley Chief Economist, Stephen Roach, says that American policymakers should stop blaming others for the global imbalances.
Monetary policy and the labour market
This speech Irma Rosenburg, first deputy governor of the Swedish Riksbank, explores the relationship between monetary policy and the labour market.
Research on negative savings rates
This research by the New York Fed suggests that the macroeconomic risks and those to individual households' well-being, associated with negative personal savings rates are overstated.