Exchange rate
IMF researchers find FX interventions can help tackle pressures from global capital flows
Working paper penned by team including Olivier Blanchard takes new approach to endogeneity problems, finding foreign exchange interventions can stem appreciation pressures from global flows of capital
CNB faces strategy dilemma when it comes to ending exchange rate floor
Vice governor Mojmir Hampl says the Czech National Bank faces dilemma when it comes to removing its FX floor as it does not want to shock markets; communication will be key
Kenyan central bank hikes by 150bp in Njoroge’s first move
Central Bank of Kenya increases key rate for second consecutive month in first meeting with former IMF adviser Patrick Njoroge as governor
Solomon Islands increases flexibility of currency
Annual report reveals Central Bank of Solomon Islands scrapped its policy of restricting the movement of its currency against the US dollar on any given day, but retained peg against basket
Riksbank cuts key rate and expands QE to curb krona risks
Swedish central bank cuts repo rate to -0.35% and will buy additional 45 billion krona worth of government bonds to prevent stronger currency or Greek collapse from derailing inflation
BoJ paper sees signs of structural shift in pricing behaviour
Study finds rising exchange rate pass-through is in large part the result of a change in firms’ pricing behaviour, although why behaviour has changed remains unclear
Central Bank of Nigeria excludes importers from FX markets
Latest bid to relieve pressure on the naira sees wide range of importers and those looking to invest in foreign currency bonds and equities banned from making foreign exchange transactions
Nabiullina: Bringing down inflation still Bank of Russia’s main concern
Central bank governor tells parliament that inflation is still the ‘priority task’ despite announcing plans to rebuild forex reserves earlier in the month
Sarb deputy wary of weaker currency with inflation rising
Daniel Mminele warns any ‘significant weakening’ in the South African rand in response to a Federal Reserve rate hike could cause inflation outlook to deteriorate
Kiwi slides as RBNZ cuts OCR to boost demand
Reserve Bank of New Zealand cuts key rate to 3.25% and suggests further easing could follow; kiwi drops to lowest level against US dollar in almost five years in aftermath
ECB paper emphasises productivity's role in export elasticity
Authors find a range of factors matter when assessing the response of exports to changes in the exchange rate, including productivity and both the type and magnitude of shocks
Exchange launches asset-backed coins for asset managers
Asset managers will be able to trade physical assets directly with each other through new asset class dubbed ABCs, which will be tradeable on newly launched exchange Abacas
Turkish central bank acts as election prompts lira slump
Markets taken aback as president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party falls short of majority; central bank measures fail to stop lira sliding to record low
IMF pushes Belarus to adopt new policy framework
International Monetary Fund tells National Bank of Belarus to adopt monetary targeting framework ‘without further delay’; staff and national authorities disagree over exchange rate
Five problems with floating rate exchange regimes
Robert Aliber bemoans the dangers of sharp moves in major currencies that are the result of floating rate currency regimes, and answers five rhetorical questions related to monetary stability
Swiss National Bank open to buying foreign assets
IMF article IV report suggests buying foreign assets to address deflationary pressures; Swiss National Bank says it is an option but wants to see how outlook develops before easing further
Rajan suggests IMF as watchdog for unconventional policy
RBI governor says central banks should not discard international responsibilities in favour of domestic mandates; says IMF could police unconventional monetary policy
Currency shifts could create ‘dilemma’ for Asian economies
IMF regional economic outlook warns policy-makers could face an ‘uncomfortable trade-off’ between external competitiveness and financial stability
Thailand relaxes capital controls
Bank of Thailand announces measures to make it easier for residents to invest abroad and for foreigners to trade bahts
Australian dollar jumps despite RBA rate cut
Australian central bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 2%; governor Stevens says currency depreciation 'necessary' amid falling terms of trade
Argentina cabinet chief rejects analysis in IMF report
Argentina needs ‘tighter macroeconomic policies, a weaker exchange rate and less microeconomic distortion,’ argues IMF outlook; cabinet chief dismisses analysis
Riksbank ramps up QE
Asset purchase programme doubled but unexpected rate hold sees krona move higher; Riksbank highlights both signs of recovery and rising financial stability risks in new monetary policy report
Azerbaijan to legislate central bank recapitalisation
Parliament prepares draft law to recapitalise Central Bank of Azerbaijan after foreign exchange losses leave balance sheet in the red
‘Severe’ risks around lifting capital controls, Icelandic report warns
Financial stability report highlights need for careful preparation before capital controls can be lifted; governor says most expected capital movements have been ‘well mapped out’