Inflation
UK issues negative-yielding bond as inflation wilts
Inflation dropped sharply in April amid the coronavirus lockdown
Economists debate monetary financing of China’s government debt
PBoC adviser dismisses idea of monetising government bonds despite calls from Ministry of Finance think-tank
Pressure builds on central banks to ‘monetise’ sovereign debt
Sarb is the latest institution facing calls to directly purchase Covid-19 related government debt
Norwegian governor says negative rates are unlikely
Øystein Olsen says it is “uncertain how negative rates will influence the economy”
The ECB, the lockdown and the monetary financing lock
The eurozone’s central bank may need to break its prohibition on monetary financing to fight the pandemic
Eurozone saw limited price convergence from 2001–11 – Bank of Spain
Researchers say this limited long-term alignment should be added to central bank policy framework
PBoC’s post-pandemic policy is still up in the air
The Chinese central bank has resisted radical easing, but with the NPC meeting this week, more loosening could be on the way, despite debt-level concerns, writes Hui Feng
Mexican central bank cuts rates but stays cautious on inflation
Falling peso and supply disruptions make inflation outlook “uncertain” despite recession, board says
RBI economists hunt for suitable core inflation measure
Study examines 11 candidates for a less volatile inflation measure that is easy to communicate
Economists race to merge epidemiology and macro
Promising results are emerging, but workable forecasts may be some way off
RBNZ nearly doubles asset purchase programme
Policy-makers aim to front-load stimulus as economy faces “significant and unprecedented decline”
Scale of Covid-19 impact shows up starkly in US stats
All of the US’s key macroeconomic indicators point to a dramatic slump
Fed set to adopt ‘elements’ of price-level targeting
Covid-19 could act as a catalyst for a Janet Yellen-supported Fed move to adopt elements of price-level targeting. But questions remain about the timing of such a move
BoE predicts sharp fall and fast recovery for UK
Forecasters predict limited long-term scarring from virus shock; banks are in strong position to lend, stress test finds
Could engineering higher inflation help manage fiscal deficits?
Fiscal and monetary co-ordination could be a workable option for the Covid-19 recovery, Chicago Fed paper finds
Bank of Italy paper examines expectations’ effects on spending
Researchers find inflation levels affect strength of income and intertemporal substitution effects
Sri Lankan central bank looks back at ‘dismal’ year
Economy was just recovering from terrorist attacks when Covid-19 hit, CBSL says
ECB research finds Phillips curve still matters
Underlying relations are complicated, but slack and expectations still drive prices, economists say
UK statisticians turn to online prices to cope with Covid-19 lockdown
Around 80% of prices are usually collected in person, forcing rethink of data gathering approach
CBRT battles external imbalance with dwindling reserves
Turkish central bank loses battle to keep lira under 7 as reserves shrink, but pressures may be easing
Dominican Republic governor opposes ‘inadmissible’ pension proposal
Allowing workers to withdraw savings could create long-term crisis, Héctor Valdez Albizu warns
Bank Negara Malaysia cuts rate as global outlook darkens
Fresh easing measures come as central bank foresees “particularly challenging” first half of year
Zimbabwean central bank cuts rates and attempts currency controls
RBZ loosens policy as IMF predicts massive contraction in GDP for already-weakened country
Debts, deficits, central banks and inflation
Forrest Capie and Geoffrey Wood ask what insights history can provide for central banks and governments managing abrupt, large increases in debt