Interest rates
Another rate hike in prospect in Poland
The Polish finance ministry has forecast that inflation in June will top the central bank's 2.5% target for the first time in over two years, making a rate rise more likely to ease growing price pressures in the fast-growing economy.
Business sentiment remains upbeat in Japan
The latest edition of the Bank of Japan's widely-followed Tankan business sentiment poll, published on 2 July, shows that businesses remain upbeat about the country's economic prospects.
Korea's CPI rises 2.5% in a year
South Korea's consumer price index (CPI) rose to within the central bank's inflation target in June, according to preliminary figures from the country's National Statistical Office.
NZ lawmakers to review monetary policy framework
Lawmakers in New Zealand are set to consider new measures to widen the focus on monetary policy and provide the central bank with more policymaking tools.
Eurozone business confidence remains high
Recovery in the eurozone remains on track and economic confidence dipped only slightly this month, according to the European Commission. Inflation remained steady at 1.9% in June, within the ECB's target range, according to a separate estimate by…
Bank of England MPC members explain decisions
The testimonies of individual members of the Bank of England's rate-setting monetary policy committee (MPC) before the Treasury select committees on 28 June, provided some clues as to the timing of further tightening.
Norges Bank raises benchmark rate
In a widely predicted move, Norway's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the eleventh time in two years, moving the deposit rate up by a quarter point to 4.5%.
Inflationary pressures building - Fund
Inflationary pressures are "definitely building up" according to Simon Johnson, economic counsellor and director of research with the International Monetary Fund.
Slovakia keeps rates steady
All key interest rates were left unchanged by the board of the National Bank of Slovakia at its regular monthly meeting on 26 June.
Bank of Israel leaves rates unchanged
The governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer, announced on 25 June that the monetary rate for July 2007 will remain unchanged at 3.5%.
BIS warns on inflation and trade imbalances
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) noted in its 77th Annual Report, released on 24 June, that the performance of the global economy over the last few years has been extraordinary, raising "questions about the source and, closely related, the…
The continuing rise of the kiwi
The New Zealand dollar continues its rapid rise on perceptions that the central bank will be unable to stem a rally powered by Japanese investors looking for higher yields. The currency rose to its highest level in 22 years on 25 June.
Tight monetary policy in Sri Lanka pays off
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced on 25 June that rates will remained unchanged at 10.5%. The central bank also published its regular review of monetary policy on 25 June, noting that improvements in the external and monetary sectors of the economy…
Riksbank's Monetary Policy Report
Published the day Sweden's central bank raised rates, the report sets out the Riksbank's thinking behind the rise and its assessment that that the repo rate will need to be around 4% at the end of the year
King outvoted over rates increase again
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England narrowly defeated governor Mervyn King at their policy meeting in June, voting 5-4 to keep the rate unchanged at 5.5%. This was the second time that the governor was on the losing end of an MPC…
SARB raises rates as inflation soars
The South African Reserve Bank raised the key repo interest rate by 50 basis points to 9.5% on 7 June, after inflation surged through the upper band of the central bank's 3% to 6% target range in April.
South Korea keeps key rate unchanged at 4.5%
The central bank of South Korea today decided to keep its key interest rate steady for the tenth month in succession, in an effort to boost economic recovery.
Peru's rates steady as inflation remains subdued
Peru's central bank yesterday held the overnight lending rate unchanged for the thirteenth consecutive month at its five-year high of 4.5%. Infaltion remains low and stable, despite rapid economic growth.
NZ interest rate up to record 8%
The markets were taken by surprise on 7 June when the New Zealand central bank raised its key interest rate to a record 8% from 7.75%, in efforts to stem inflation.
Brazil cuts lending rate to record low of 12%
Following the recovery of the Brazilian currency, which has held inflation at an eight-year low, the central bank lowered the benchmark lending rate by half a percentage point to a record low of 12%.
Bank of England maintains bank rate at 5.5%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to maintain the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 5.5%.
Australia keeps rate at six-year high
Glenn Stevens, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, announced on 6 June that the central bank would keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the sixth meeting in succession. Rates remain unchanged at a six-year high of 6.25%.
Cyprus surprises with unchanged repo rate
The Central Bank of Cyprus has raised the interest rate on its marginal lending facility and on the overnight deposit facility by 25 basis points. However, the rate on the central bank's main refinancing operations (repo rate) remains unchanged at 4.5%.
ECB lifts rates to 4%
The European Central Bank has raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points to 4%, taking rates in the eurozone to their highest level for six years. This latest increase means that interest rates have doubled in 18 months.