Inflation
Brainard cautious over further hikes in interest rates
Fed governor says she will be watching inflation “carefully” over the coming months, stating the unwinding of the balance sheet will begin ”soon”
Vietnamese central bank cuts rates, despite IMF credit warning
Decision contradicts IMF advice to keep monetary policy on hold to contain rapid credit growth, but growth and inflation have disappointed
Public protector backs down over Sarb mandate challenge
Mkhwebane admits she lacks power to suggest parliament make changes to the constitution, though she stands by her call for a review of the Sarb’s mandate
Central Bank of Egypt hikes rate in bid to rein in rapid inflation
Inflation is starting to slow after impact of devaluation but is still running at close to 30%, the central bank says
Bank of Thailand raises growth forecast amid weak inflation
Thai central bank says it is waiting for economic growth to become more broad-based, as inflation continues to disappoint
US policy having a larger impact on credit – BIS paper
Monetary policy’s effects on credit and housing markets have grown while the effects on inflation have weakened, paper finds
Inflation data causes rift in FOMC
Fed officials discuss whether incoming low inflation data is “transitory” or is a sign of worrying things to come; minutes outline balance sheet unwinding but date remains unknown
Open letter condemns public protector’s Sarb comments
Mkhwebane’s comments pose “grave threat” to South Africa’s economy, academics and economists warn, though they are open to mandate debate as long as it is “appropriate”
New leaders take charge at Philippines central bank
New governor pledges to enhance financial inclusion, mitigate cyber-crime risk and fine-tune monetary policy to make it more market-oriented
Syria’s new high-denomination banknote to feature President Assad
President to adorn new 2,000 Syrian pound banknote, worth around $4; central bank governor says plan for new note has been in pipeline for years
Pass-through varies across countries and time – BoE paper
Kristin Forbes and co-authors study the shocks and structural factors that help explain variations in the exchange rate’s impact on inflation
Divided Central Bank of Colombia votes to cut interest rates
Worries about inflation not returning to target spur board to cut interest rates to 5.75%; external conditions remain a concern despite slightly better inflation data
Pakistan growth hits decade high – SBP report
Central bank says high growth, low inflation and solid investment are nevertheless overshadowed by falling exports, which have impacted reserves
Survey data can help with modelling expectations – BoJ paper
Discussion paper outlines method of incorporating survey data as a proxy for expectations, with “promising” results for inflation modelling in the US and Japan
House prices could outstrip income for decades – David Miles
Former Bank of England policymaker says under “plausible” assumptions, real house prices can rise without limit, implying high prices are not necessarily a sign of bubbles
BoJ told to improve communication on potential exit from stimulus
Speculation is growing over the timing and method of the exit from the stimulus programme, creating a new communication challenge for the BoJ
BIS urges policymakers to exploit ‘window of opportunity’
Financial cycles are getting close to turning in many economies and central banks and governments must make sure they are prepared, the BIS warns in its 2017 annual report
BoJ’s Iwata says expectations likely to shift as inflation returns
Deputy governor cites Milton Friedman in arguing that people will become more forward-looking when their wages are eroded by inflation
RBI minutes: ‘abrupt’ retreat of inflation calls for caution
MPC members express surprise at swift retreat of food prices, though they warn against setting policy by looking in the “rearview mirror”
Bank of Canada prepares to open redesigned museum
Museum set to reopen in July after “complete reimagining”, including interactive exhibits on the central bank’s mandate, inflation-based games and a two-tonne “Yap stone”
Recovery increasingly resilient; inflation predictions down – ECB
GDP forecasts revised up and ECB says recovery is “broadening”, but inflation projections revised down
BoE’s Haldane examines changing nature of work
Rise of “gig economy” and self-employment may have weakened wage-setting power among workers, the BoE chief economist says; he indicates a willingness to vote for a hike later this year
Indonesian deputy Perry on revolutionising monetary and financial policy
Perry Warjiyo explains the central bank’s radical overhaul of monetary policy operations, market deepening and financial inclusion in Indonesia
Chicago Fed’s Evans: central bankers may be biased against inflation
Chicago Fed president thinks current policymakers may have overcompensated for inflationary bias of the past