Euro
ECB's Target Annual Report 2005
The European Central Bank (ECB) published the TARGET Annual Report 2005 on Friday 19 May. This publication, which is the sixth of its kind, gives an overview of TARGET operations in 2005.
Comment: Emerging market jitters
Emerging markets equities, bonds and currencies have been under severe pressure over the last two weeks. The turning tide will leave a number of central banks uncomfortable, particularly as the favourable conditions of the last 2 and 3 years has actually…
ECB not worried by dollar weakness says Liebscher
The European Central Bank is unperturbed by the dollar's current weakness and may still proceed with an interest rate increase next month, Austrian central bank chief Klaus Liebscher said in a newspaper interview published Tuesday 16 May.
EU vetoes Lithuanian euro entry, endorses Slovenia
This article published Tuesday 16 May reports news that the European Union has turned down Lithuania's bid to adopt the euro, the first time a nation has been rejected since the common currency's creation in 1999. However, Slovenia has got the nod of…
ECB's Trichet on two successes of the euro
In the speech 'Two successes of the euro: the single monetary policy and European financial integration' given on 11 May Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said that the central bank is on high alert over inflationary dangers, is exercising "strong vigilance…
Euro critical when Issing goes missing?
Sunday 14 May's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung contained a portrait of ECB chief economist Otmar Issing under the headline "The preacher". Without Issing the euro could weaken considerably, it said.
Hungary's Jarai calls budget 'undisciplined'
Hungary's central bank governor launched a strongly worded attack on the budgetary management of Hungary's socialist prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany on Thursday 11 May.
German pay policy points to a eurozone design flaw
According to this article by Paul de Grauwe, published Friday 5 May, in spite of the fact that the eurozone is a union of countries which set their monetary policy jointly, wage policies have been characterised by a blatant co-ordination failure.
Trichet 'not satisfied' with inflation over 2%
Speaking at the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Friday 5 May, Jean-Claude Trichet said the European Central Bank is 'not satisfied' with inflation above 2 pct in the euro zone.
Europe must relax inflation test for euro entrants
According to this article by Willem Buiter, published Thursday 4 May, forcing eurozone membership candidate countries to meet both an exchange rate criterion and an inflation criterion makes no economic sense.
Exporters should watch Swiss franc says SNB chief
Swiss National Bank president Jean-Pierre Roth said in an interview that Swiss exporters should keep a close eye on the Swiss franc and protect themselves for possible volatility.
Dates slide for euro hopefuls
Assistant editor Nick Carver surveys the progress – or in some cases the lack of it – of the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004.
Iceland considers joining euro
Iceland could seek to join the euro, according to Prime Minister Halldor Asgrimsson.
Economist warns over euro currency
Respected European economist Paul de Grauwe has warned of the euro's collapse unless there is progress towards political union.
Riksbank changes currency allocation
Sweden's Riksbank announced on Friday 21 April that it has reallocated the currency holdings in the bank's foreign currency reserves. The changes include a move away from US dollar holdings in favour of euros.
Comment: Sweden sheds reserve dollars
The Swedish Riksbank dropped a bit of a bombshell on international currency markets on Friday 21 April by announcing a significant reduction in the share of dollars and yen in its foreign reserves portfolio. Although Sweden has a relatively small…
Gulf states buy euros with their reserves
According to this article published on Wednesday 5 April, a diversification of Middle East reserves could have a negative impact on Washington's ability to finance its debt.
Should GCC states diversify reserves?
According to the article 'Should GCC states diversify reserves away from the US dollar?' published Tuesday 4 April, the discussion among GCC central banks about diversifying away from the US dollar comes at a time when the greenback has already devalued…
ECB's Trichet on EMU and the euro
In the speech 'EMU and the euro: successes and challenges' given on 30 March Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said euro zone interest rates are expected to remain at historically low levels for a long period.
Euro disaster a salutary lesson in what not to do
According to this recent article, the idea of a single currency area for countries like China, Japan, and Korea has certain obvious appeal. However, it is a big stretch to assume that a single currency union is either the best way for them to reap those…
ECB paper on the effects of EMU
The ECB Working Paper "What effects is EMU having on the euro area and its member countries? An overview" published March 2006, addresses the effects of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) since the introduction of the euro -- on economic and…
China should tap reserves to buy gold
A Bank of China official was quoted on Monday 27 March as saying that China should use part of its foreign exchange reserves to buy gold.
ECB's Issing on the euro
In the speech 'The euro - a currency without a state' given on 24 March Otmar Issing of the ECB said the application of the revised EU stability pact rules to Germany will be the key test of whether the new pact is being applied rigorously.
Estonia sees 'unlikely' January move to euro
The Bank of Estonia has concurred with economic forecasts by the Ministry of Finance that suggest higher than expected inflation will hamper Estonia's plans to join the euro zone in 2007.