Interest rates
Slovakian rates on hold
The board of Narodna Banka Slovenska, the central bank of Slovakia, decided keep current interest rates on hold after a meeting of the monetary policy committee.
Colombia raises rates
Colombia's central bank raised the overnight interbank rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 9.25%, the highest level since 2001.
New Zealand raises official cash rate
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has raised its official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 8.25%, while indicating that further rises may not be necessary.
Czech National Bank raises rates
As widely expected the Czech National Bank (CNB) today raised its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 3% in an ongoing rate tightening cycle.
Unexpected rise in eurozone money supply
Data from the European Central Bank (ECB) released today showed a surprise jump in M3 money supply in the eurozone and loans to the private sector.
Polish rates stay at 4.5% as expected
Poland's central bank kept interest rates unchanged at its meeting on 25 July. The halt in monetary tightening comes after two rises in the three previous months raised rates to 4.5%.
Malaysian central bank leaves key rate unchanged
The central bank of Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, has left interest rates unchanged at 3.5%. The decision had been widely expected as inflation has eased substantially to 1.4% in June, after averaging 2% in the first six months of this year.
South African inflation remains well above target
Inflation in South Africa remained well above the central bank's target for inflation in June. It was the third consecutive month that inflation, as measured by the central bank's target measure CPIX index, breached the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB…
Bank of Israel closes "interest rate gap"
The Bank of Israel has announced an interest rate increase of 25 basis points. The hike, which takes rates to 3.75%, was somewhat unexpected as most observers expected rates to remain unchanged.
Hungary keeps rates on hold - as expected
As expected by analysts the National Bank of Hungary, the country's central bank, kept its policy rate unchanged today at 7.75% after its monthly review of interest rates.
Brazil makes 17th consecutive rate cut
Brazil's central bank made its 17th consecutive cut in the overnight lending rate on July 18, as inflation continued to be kept in check by the strong exchange rate.
Rate tightening agreed by Polish cb in June
At its most recent meeting, Poland's central bank agreed that rate tightening in the future was necessary, although the bank's policymakers were split over when a move should occur.
BoE minutes show rate rise split
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 6 to 3 to raise interest rates this month, according to the minutes of the July meeting published today. Kate Barker and Paul Tucker voted with the governor, Mervyn King, in favour of a rise of…
Japanese policymakers fear US housing problems
Minutes of the June 14-15 meeting of the Bank of Japan's policy board, published today, show that some board members have concerns about the persistence of housing problems in the United States, which may point to difficulties in making future rate rises.
Thai rates cut with one eye on baht
Thailand's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate, the one-day bond repurchase rate, to 3.25% from 3.5% today, the fifth consecutive cut this year. Suchada Kirakul, the assistant governor, told reporters after the rate decision that the cut "will…
German confidence takes a dip
A survey of investors published yesterday by the ZEW Institute in Mannheim suggested that Germany's recovery might falter as the country feels the effect of higher interest rates, nervous financial markets and a stronger euro.
Inflation surprise lifts New Zealand dollar
New Zealand's benchmark interest rate is widely expected to be raised by a quarter of a percentage point to a record level of 8.25% next week, after a report published today revealed that inflation has risen faster than the Reserve Bank anticipated. The…
China's Wu Xiaoling cool on asset prices
The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, will not use monetary policy directly to target stock market or real estate prices, deputy governor, Wu Xiaoling, said on 7 July.
Peru's interest rates at six-year high
The Central Bank of Peru unexpectedly raised its reference rate to 4.75% from 4.5% on 5 July, as strong economic growth, boosted by domestic demand and metal exports, threatened rising inflation. The central bank said that the move was "preventative",…
Madigan appointed as key aide to Bernanke
The Federal Reserve Board yesterday named Brian F. Madigan as the chief adviser on interest rates to its chairman, Ben Bernanke.Madigan will take over as director of the division of monetary affairs on 23 July.
Bank of England raises bank rate by 0.25%
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England voted on 5 July to raise the official bank rate by 0.25% to 5.75%. The previous change in bank rate was an increase of 0.25% to 5.5% on May 10 this year.
ECB leaves rates on hold
After leaving interest rates unchanged on 5 June, European Central Bank (ECB) president, Jean-Claude Trichet, signalled that the central bank will hike rates again later this year.
No change in Australian interest rates
The Reserve Bank of Australia has left interest rates unchanged at 6.25%, where they have remained since November 2006. The decision was widely expected.
Unexpected June price rises in Chile
Consumer prices in Chile rose 0.9% in June, representing their biggest monthly rise since September 2005. Food and housing costs were largely responsible for the shock.