Central Banking
Forex pegging may be counterproductive says Dodge
Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge said in previously private remarks to the Bank of France on November 4 that pegging a country's foreign exchange rate could hinder macroeconomic adjustment.
BoE's Barker sees improved consumer spending
Consumer spending should improve by the middle of 2006, Bank of England policymaker Kate Barker said on Tuesday 22 November.
China could use more yuan flexibility says IMF
The International Monetary Fund urged China to follow up the July reforms to its currency regime on Monday 21 November by allowing market forces to exert more influence on the value of the yuan.
Fukui says BOJ will decide policy shift alone
The Bank of Japan will take full responsibility in deciding when to end its ultra-easy monetary policy, while maintaining close contact with the government, BOJ Governor Toshihiko Fukui was quoted as saying on Wednesday 23 November.
Comment: ECB's strategy risks confusion
Jean-Claude Trichet's recent comments have effectively shifted the debate from whether or not the ECB will raise interest rates, to how aggressive and how persistent future rate hikes will be. The ECB's strategy raises a number of questions.
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, November 2005
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its November 2005 monthly report on 22 November. In its report the BOJ said exports have continued to increase moderately, industrial production is on an uptrend and corporate fixed investment continues…
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Nov 2005
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, November 2005, activity in the region's manufacturing sector continues to expand.
Bank of Japan
According to this recent article, the government and Liberal Democratic Party officials should not be blatantly meddling in the Bank of Japan's policy. Although the BOJ needs to stay in closer connection with the fiscal authorities, it says.
Chicago Fed's Moskow on U.S. economic outlook
In the speech 'U.S. economic outlook' given on 21 November Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said more Federal Reserve rate increases are appropriate at this point, even with the federal funds rate now at the low end of a neutral…
Evolving perceptions of the European Central Bank
The New York Fed Staff Report 'Establishing credibility: Evolving perceptions of the European Central Bank' published November 2005 presents an empirical framework that uses high-frequency data to test for persistent variation in market perceptions of…
Gonzalez Paramo calms mood after Trichet comments
European Central Bank board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez Paramo has sought to play down Jean-Claude Trichet's recent comments that an increase in Eurozone interest rates could come at its next meeting on 1 December.
Belgium's Quaden cautious on rates
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said that the economic situation in the eurozone is different from that of the US which has seen a lengthy series of interest rate increases.
Buba says Merkel's budget may be unconstitutional
Angela Merkel, who was sworn in as German Chancellor on Tuesday 22 November, plans to ignore constitutional rules in running up record borrowing next year, the Bundesbank said in its November monthly report.
NZ's Bollard prioritises slowing demand
Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard said in a report published on Tuesday22 November that slowing the pace of domestic demand is a `priority' and another interest-rate increase cannot be ruled out.
Russia's central bank should boost gold - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia's central bank should pay more attention to gold in its international reserves.
Comment: Russia's reserve management
At a time when Russia's official foreign reserves have risen sharply due largely to increased revenues from oil exports, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has been remarkably transparent how it manages these reserves.
Phil Fed's Survey of Professional Forecasters
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia published its Fourth Quarter 2005 Survey of Professional Forecasters on 14 November. Growth in the current quarter looks slower now than it did just three months ago, according to the 51 forecasters surveyed.
Central banks as agents of economic development
In the last two decades, there has been a global sea change in the theory and practice of central banking. The neoliberal central bank policy package is drastically out of step with the history and dominant practice of central banking throughout most of…
Bank of Canada Review, Autumn 2005
The Bank of Canada published its Review for Autumn 2005 on 17 November. The Review contains four articles including "The exchange rate and Canadian inflation targeting" and "What drives movements in exchange rates?".
Trichet says ECB set to 'moderately augment' rates
In testimony given on 21 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the bank isn't planning a string of interest- rate increases, vowing to lawmakers not to stifle economic growth.
Britain probably better off in euro says Trichet
Speaking at a conference in Berlin on Saturday 19 November, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said Britain would probably be even better off if it joined the euro.
Poole sees further Fed tightening if needed
A top Fed policy-maker said on Thursday 17 November that core US inflation and inflation expectations have weathered high energy prices and if necessary, the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to make sure this remains.
Weber on challenges to the global economy
In the speech 'Challenges to the global economy' given on 18 November Axel Weber of the Deutsche Bundesbank said greater currency flexibility in parts of Asia is essential for resolving global economic imbalances whereas structural reform in Europe would…
EU: Hungary may still join euro by 2010
Hungary can still make its 2010 target date to join the euro currency if it takes tough action to manage its economy over the next three years, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Friday 18 November.