Interest rates
Rates on hold after Yellen’s final FOMC meeting
New committee finds unanimity on rate hold, as Janet Yellen prepares to step down
Governor of the year: Lesetja Kganyago
Kganyago has defended and enhanced the Sarb’s reputation as an independent and well-governed institution against all threats – despite a turbulent political and economic backdrop
Weaker dollar may indicate markets expect US slowdown
Weakening currency despite strong growth presents puzzle for policymakers
SBP hikes for first time since 2013
Monetary policy committee acts to “pre-empt” the overheating of Pakistan’s economy
Central bankers assess markets’ reactions to policy changes
Benoît Cœuré warns of complacency among investors as central banks move to normalise
Income convergence in reverse among original euro members, research says
Fall in income disparities halted soon after 2002 and started to increase after financial crisis
Bank Negara makes first rate hike since 2014
Bank Negara Malaysia is the first South-east Asian central bank to hike rates this year
Bank Indonesia launches joint initiative as rice prices bite
Indonesian central bank and government announce joint measures to control inflation arising from food price volatility
IMF welcomes reform progress in Egypt
A flexible exchange rate and tighter policy have helped stabilise the economy
Central banks should not be underestimated – DTCC chief
Michael Bodson says central banks will always find a way to deal with crises, even without interest rates at their disposal; Hélène Rey says interconnectedness of system is a risk
Kenya not yet ready for more accommodative policy – Njoroge
Central Bank of Kenya leaves rates on hold despite well-anchored inflation and greater optimism; policymakers will continue to monitor interest rate cap impact
Davos experts weigh risks of future crisis
High debt levels, a rise in real interest rates and China are on the agenda for the panellists, who believe another financial crisis is inevitable
BIS paper: unconventional policies may have depressed natural rate
Economists find shifts in estimates of the natural rate co-move with unexpected changes in unconventional policy
Higher inflation in the US could accelerate Fed’s tightening
US Treasury yields rise as GDP growth accelerates and inflation expectations increase
Bank of Canada raises rates as economy nears potential
Central bank hikes the policy interest rate 25 basis points to 1.25%
BoE economists challenge conventional wisdom on yield curve
Steeper curve may not be as good for bank profitability as widely believed
Bank of Korea on hold amid policy dilemma
Strong won and benign inflation likely to keep the BoK on hold in the first half of 2018
Central banks lack ‘firepower’ to combat financial crises, says report
Without interest rate cuts available, the next financial crisis could be much “longer and deeper”, Global Risk Report says
Kazakhstan cuts rates on low inflation and weak demand
Central bank reduces key rate to 9.75% from 10.25%, inflation below forecast in 2017
Peruvian central bank cuts rates amid political crisis
Economy impacted by political crisis following the pardon of former president Alberto Fujimori
Dudley warns Trump tax plan leaves US finances ‘unsustainable’
New York Fed chief says policymakers may have to tighten rates harder to offset stimulus
Higher inflation in Norway supports tighter outlook
Norges Bank brings forward its first planned rate hike to late 2018
BoJ’s cut to bond purchases not an exit strategy, say analysts
Move was unexpected, but analysts do not see it as a sign the BoJ may be preparing to exit its stimulus programmme
Fed economists tackle question of optimal balance sheet size
Cutting balance sheet would significantly reduce interest rate risk, economists find, as Fed acknowledges lower profits due to interest payments