Inflation
Central Bank of Uzbekistan issues new highest-denomination banknote
New 10,000 som denomination to feature similar security features to notes already in circulation; inflation has eroded value of existing notes
Ending speculation on the Czech forex cap: quo vadis, CNB?
David Vavra suggests a method the Czech National Bank could use to free itself from the mounting pressure on its exchange rate peg, avoiding a “Swiss-style” exit
Federal Reserve publishes its first fan chart
Fed unveils new communication method as Janet Yellen makes clearest statement yet that a March hike is on the table
CBRT under pressure as inflation breaches 10%
Consumer prices rising at their fastest rate since 2012, leaving the central bank in a difficult position
Pace of Brazil's monetary easing could increase, minutes show
Copom says evolution of economic performance and the level of the structural interest rate will dictate pace of easing cycle; fiscal policy could reduce structural interest rate
Delayed banknotes arrive in Venezuela
Thirty billion bolivars of notes finally shipped from Sweden, says central bank director; further denominations expected by the end of the month
Fed could raise rates ‘fairly soon’ – minutes
Minutes show committee members will be watching labour and inflation data very closely; raising rates would offer “flexibility” in responding to economic changes
Plummeting inflation prompts Bank of Zambia action
Central bank cuts policy rate by 150bp, in addition to a cut to the overnight lending rate and reserve ratio; inflation falls from over 18% to 7% in a matter of months
FOMC sentiment effects tested with ‘computational linguistics’
Economists find sentiment conveyed by FOMC statements affects policy expectations, inflation, and industrial production
Bank of Uganda cuts rate as inflation outlook improves
The near-term inflation outlook worsens, but latest forecasts shows recovery within the target band; the IMF’s Lagarde praises the central bank for its “prudent” approach
Riksbank sees need for expansionary policy, despite rising inflation
Inflation in Sweden is now close to target, and expected to overshoot, but the central bank is holding policy steady with an eye on political uncertainty
Central bank governor of the year: Carlos Fernández Valdovinos
The governor of the Central Bank of Paraguay has had considerable success hitting Paraguay’s tightening inflation target while boosting the nation’s economic credentials
Canada’s Schembri highlights new inflation communication method
Bank of Canada has adopted three-pronged core inflation approach but now only publishes forecasts of headline inflation in its reports
US uncertainty puts Bank of Mexico on edge
Central bank hikes rate by 50bp as uncertainty from the US threatens inflation; international fuel prices are also a concern
New tax measures biggest threat to Jamaican inflation
Increases in income tax threshold will impact inflation, latest report warns; exchange rate depreciation and international oil prices are also a concern
BoJ’s Nakaso: inflation on upward path this year
Pressure on wages, rising commodity prices and a turnaround in expectations will drive up prices, deputy says; rejects calls for rate hike
RBA to ‘pay close attention’ to housing market in 2017 – Lowe
Rent growth remains weak but vacancy rates are not high, RBA governor says; households and banks are currently taking the right approach to the environment
Monetary aggregates useful as eurozone inflation predictor – paper
“Predictive content” of monetary aggregates has improved since 2012, ECB paper says
Graeme Wheeler to stand down this year
RBNZ governor will not seek a second term; deputy to take interim role as succession process complicated by elections
Angola disregards IMF advice on exchange rate overhaul
Angolan authorities disagree with IMF over suggested exchange rate framework changes but agree to a banking sector clean-up
Mongolia sees hope of recovery after rough year
The commodity reliant country faced slowing growth and inflation in 2016, but the outlook for this year is somewhat brighter
Energy base effects pushing recent eurozone inflation – ECB
Effect estimated to be negative for much of second half of 2017
Only ‘gradual’ increases in interest rates on the cards at the Fed
FOMC members think only “gradual” adjustments to monetary policy are warranted; current pace will strengthen the labour market and see inflation rise
BoJ ups growth forecast after Trump shock
Improvements in overseas economies and yen weakness prompt central bank to revise up its growth forecast, though inflation is largely unchanged; policy remains on hold