Coronavirus
Riksbank revises up growth and inflation forecasts for 2021
Swedish central bank maintains stimulus; inflation not expected to approach target until 2023
Measuring the exceptional speed and scope of Covid-19 monetary policy
Policy actions during the first wave of the pandemic were extraordinary for their intensity, scope and speed. Other patterns also emerge on closer inspection
Latin American economies threatened by pandemic resurgence – IMF
Western hemisphere chief warns recovery is uneven and under threat
Only climate policy risk priced in US equity markets – research
US political debate is only “wake-up call” for investors, who seem to disregard physical risks
European central bankers see room for fiscal-monetary co-operation
Pandemic showed it was “critical” for both policies to work together, say central bank governors
Bailey defends BoE’s independence
Claims that buying government debt threatens independence are “entirely without merit”, governor says
IMF to update debt sustainability framework
Reforms aim to improve framework’s predictive capacity and transparency, IMF says
RBI offers bond accounts to retail investors
Central bank to sell debt directly to public, as recent auctions show signs of strain
Epidemics cause delayed political unrest – IMF paper
Infectious disease outbreaks lead to upheaval after health crisis has passed, researchers say
BoE tells firms to prepare for negative rates
Preparation is not a signal that negative policy rates will be adopted, Bailey stresses
Eurozone inflation jumps to 0.9% in January
Analysts argue sharp increase was pushed by German tax increase and statistical changes
HKMA defers trade facility repayments again
Loans may be extended further, HKMA says, as unemployment reaches 16-year high
Draghi accepts task of leading next Italian government
Former ECB president must first secure enough parliamentary support to become prime minister
EU’s 2021 stress test includes ‘very severe’ adverse scenario
Adverse scenario foresees unemployment rising sharply and massive asset shock
IMF encourages Bahamas central bank to launch asset registry
Recent initiatives to manage credit have been hampered by bottlenecks, IMF report says
Colombian central bank holds rates under new governor
Interest rates remain at 1.75%, a record low; board split in a 5–2 vote
Bank of Finland to focus on sustainable growth
Central bank also aims to create “world’s best” financial literacy programme
Bank of Mozambique hikes policy rate by 300 basis points
MPC cites Covid-19, conflict and natural disasters as it orders increase
Riksbank extends swap agreement with Fed
$60 billion line set up in response to Covid-19 extended until end of September 2021
Penalty fears drove US funds’ March run – NY Fed paper
Research finds “sophisticated” investors respond to asset signals but retail investors do not
Norwegian SWF returns 10.9% in 2020
Holdings in US tech companies major factor in rebound despite pandemic, Tangen says
Eurozone banks must not delay action on credit risk – Enria
Supervisor calls on banks to use capital buffers in order to maintain adequate credit levels
Fed on hold in first policy meeting under Biden administration
Unanimous vote comes amid signs of possible further fiscal stimulus; new voting members join FOMC
IMF warns of possible market correction
Withdrawal of central bank support might trigger shock, say Tobias Adrian and Fabio Natalucci