Growth
IMF delays Argentina forecasts due to uncertainty
Current forecast shows economy contracting by 1.3% in 2021 and inflation falling to 17%
Fed leaves monetary stance unchanged but tweaks IOER
FOMC also announces updated plans on its balance sheet and repo market interventions
BoE’s close rate call: what to watch
Markets had priced in 50% chance of a cut, but several economists say easing looks unlikely
RBNZ economists look to improve GDP statistics
“GDPplus” has several advantages over standard GDP statistics, authors say
Lesotho cuts interest rates to 6.25%
Central bank reduces rates and lowers reserves target on back of weaker domestic outlook
Risky markets had a ‘spectacular’ 2019, IMF officials warn
Largest combined number of rate cuts since 2008 drove financial vulnerabilities, senior officials say
Central Bank of Kenya cuts rates again
Policy-makers look to offset fiscal tightening and push economy back to potential
Norges Bank’s new MPC leaves rates unchanged
Policy rate likely to be on hold for some time, Norway’s central bank says
Bank of Canada holds rates but cuts growth forecast
Central bank cuts expected growth by 0.75 percentage points lower for both Q4 2019 and Q1 2020
Bank Negara Malaysia surprises market with ‘pre-emptive’ rate cut
Analyst believes move signals end to “brief easing cycle”
European companies’ credit demand shrinks despite ECB stimulus
In Q4 2019, credit demand from non-financial corporations declined for first time in six years
IMF cuts forecast again, but says slowdown may be ending
Fresh downward revision to growth outlook set against “tentative stabilisation”, says Gita Gopinath
South Africa surprises markets with rate cut
Sarb reduces interest rates by 25 basis points to 6.25%
BoE officials hint at willingness to cut rates
Carney, Saunders and Vlieghe all signal cut may be needed, as UK growth and inflation disappoint
Violence in Myanmar could hamper growth – World Bank
Investor confidence is being damaged by sustained conflict, despite robust growth
CAR renews IMF support amid ‘volatile’ security situation
New three-year deal designed to shore up peace agreement
Demographic change could mark end of economic growth – NBER paper
Shrinking populations could cause knowledge and living standards to stagnate, author says
Trump’s tax cuts boosted growth and jobs – Dallas Fed paper
Researcher uses state-level data on tax cuts to estimate national impact
Higher oil prices dampened impact of Fed spillovers in Gulf – IMF paper
Changes in Fed rates likely to have minimal impact on GCC growth with current oil prices, researchers say
Rates have been falling for eight centuries – BoE research
Study casts doubt on major theories, including secular stagnation; author warns rates could “soon enter permanently negative territory”
Monetary easing can boost birth rate, BoE paper finds
People had more children after rates were slashed post-crisis, researchers find
Markets surge as PBoC cuts RRR
Cut designed to support the flagging economy; PBoC insists it is retaining “sound” policy
Schnabel and Panetta appointed ECB executive board members
The final distribution of responsibilities in January will determine the new members’ portfolios
Argentina lowers key rate floor
New governor aims to abandon ultra-tight financial conditions