Coronavirus
The Tokyo Olympics: downside risks prevail
The Bank of Japan’s latest stimulus effort seems to be weak, and comes at a time when the benefits of hosting the Tokyo Olympics may be overstated – even if the games still take place
Croatian central bank starts bond-buying programme
HNB also holds repo auction and may relax banks’ capital buffers in response to coronavirus
Central banks activate contingency plans amid Covid-19 pandemic
Rotating and remote team working aims to reduce contagion risk
Central banks should support demand and bolster confidence – IMF
IMF offers advice to central banks on what measures are appropriate to combat Covid-19
Richmond Fed paper examines use of discount window
Facility not typically used in “life or death” scenarios, researchers find
Fed cuts rates 100bp as central banks launch joint action
US central bank unveils unprecedented coronavirus response package as global swap lines are bolstered through co-ordinated action
ECB strongly criticised by French and Italian leaders
Lagarde’s words spark Italian anger while Macron says first ECB measures are not sufficient
Central banks step up liquidity support
RBA, Bank of Canada, Norges Bank and Riksbank all increase their liquidity interventions
Covid-19 will not delay World Economic Outlook – IMF’s Rice
Communications director says reports will be published as normal
Norges Bank cuts rates 50bp in emergency meeting
Central bank offers extraordinary three-month loans to banks and calls on government to reduce countercyclical buffer
Fed to flood repo market with up to $5.5 trillion
NY Fed unveils substantial liquidity package as analysts warn massive market disruption is possible
ECB lowers capital levels as EBA postpones stress tests
Coronavirus response sees ECB loosen limits for largest banks while EBA calls for supervisory flexibility
Lagarde seems to stumble as ECB announces coronavirus response
ECB announces more QE, expanded financing and loosening of banks’ capital and liquidity buffers
NY Fed increases repo operations in new bid to tackle funding squeeze
Trump announces fiscal and travel measures as Fed steps up efforts to support bank funding
Monetary policy can help buffer Covid-19 impact – RBA’s Debelle
Deputy governor says rate cuts will boost spending despite lag and reduce exchange rate volatility
ECB likely to shy away from rate cut, analysts say
Central bank expected to unveil targeted measures to support banks and SMEs
Coronavirus policy responses raise financial stability threat – IMF official
Policy-makers must be alert to threat of rapid liquidation of risky assets, Tobias Adrian says
Iceland cuts rates to 2.25%
Rate cut and changes to reserve requirements designed to offset virus shock
Riksbank to focus on liquidity against Covid-19
Governor Ingves says a rate cut is not the most important measure now
IMF’s Gopinath advises central banks on cocktail of measures to fight virus
IMF chief economist says central banks should stand ready to provide liquidity
Fed ramps up Covid-19 response
Central bank in “firefighting mode”, undoing repo tapering and offering regulatory relief to banks
Covid-19 unleashes major market shock
Oil prices tumble, dragging down stock markets worldwide; sovereign bonds rally
Coronavirus could require expanded QE powers – Rosengren
Congress should grant Fed ability to buy wider set of assets under severe scenario, Rosengren says
Riksbank deputy tests positive for coronavirus
Riksbank’s deputy governor appears to have contracted the virus while on holiday