Interest rates
China hikes rates, loosens currency markets
The People's Bank of China raised interest rates for the fourth time in a year on 18 May and widened the yuan's daily trading limit against the dollar.
ECB holds rates steady
The European Central Bank held its key interest rate steady at 3.75% on 17 May, in the light of strong growth prospects but hinted that inflation is becoming a concern.
Fukui again says rates must rise
In further comments on Japan's interest rates, Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday 17 May rates should increase gradually to support economic growth amid price stability.
BNB's Quaden says ECB will keep acting on prices
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said in an interview published Wednesday 16 May that the ECB will continue to act to lower inflationary expectations.
Code words not for King, but BoE can improve
According to this article published Thursday 10 May by Reuters, the gloss is starting to come off the Bank of England's reputation for managing interest rate expectations and keeping inflation under control.
NBH minutes show one member wanted rate cut
A single rate-setter on Hungary's 13-member Monetary Council voted in favour of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the MPC's 23 April policy meeting, the minutes published Friday 11 may showed. Changes to the Central bank Act will see a reduction in the number…
FOMC can stick again unless data changes
Without changes in economic data, the Federal Open Market Committee can leave US interest rates alone next month too, and may as well issue the same statement too, says John Berry of Bloomberg in this article published Thursday 10 May.
Trichet signals June rate rise with 'vigilance'
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told the ECB's press conference Thursday 10 May that ``strong vigilance'' is required to contain inflation. A hint that interest rates will rise at the next meeting.
BoJ's Fukui says low rates for too long will hurt
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a seminar in Tokyo Thursday 10 May that interest rates need to rise gradually despite Japanese prices responding slowly to strong global demand.
Fed hold rates but concerned on inflation
The Federal Reserve left US interest rates unchanged Wednesday 9 May and acknowledged that the economy is slowing.
King and Co should do nothing either
According to this article from Bloomberg published Wednesday 9 May, there are plenty of reasons for the Bank of England to do nothing Thursday.
Bernanke and Co should do nothing
According to this article from John Berry at Bloomberg, published Friday 4 May, Federal Reserve officials will not change interest rates Wednesday amid conflicting evidence about where the US economy is headed.
Some BoJ members urged gradual rate hike
Minutes released Monday 7 May showed some members of the Bank of Japan's board called on the BoJ to do a better job communicating its intention of raising interest rates only gradually and without any timetable set in advance.
Riksbank leaves rates unchanged at 3.25%
Sweden's Riksbank said Friday 4 May it would leave its key interest rate unchanged at 3.25% but said the rate should be raised gradually in the future and by more than the 0.25% it forecast in February.
Bank of England has much to discuss next week
With the Bank of England looking certain to raise UK interest rates next week, this article from Reuters, published Friday 4 May, looks at the main factors the MPC will be discussing.
Stock exchange chief urges BoT to cut rates
According to the head of Thailand's stock exchange, the central bank should cut interest rates faster to spur sluggish domestic spending and the flagging economy.
Is Bernanke wrong on inflation?
According to this article from Bloomberg on Monday 30 April, a housing slump in the US may drive the US economy into recession, prompting the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.
BoJ Outlook for Economic Activity & Prices, Apr 07
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its April 2007 Outlook for economic activity and prices report on 1 May. In the report the BOJ said Japan's economy is likely to realise "sustainable growth under price stability."
IMF says Bank of Mexico acted too fast
Mexico's Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said Monday 30 April that the central bank may have moved too fast in raising interest rates last week amid slowing economic growth.
France's Sarkozy redesigns BoE decision making
French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy seemed to be a little out of date when discussing the Bank of England's monetary policy decision making last week on French television.
SNB's Roth sees risk from low inflation
Swiss National Bank president Jean-Pierre Roth told the bank's general meeting of shareholders Friday 27 April that the SNB will raise interest rates if necessary but expects inflation to remain moderate.
Fukui says rates must adjust if necessary
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Friday 27 April after the policy board left rates unchanged, that the BOJ must raise interest rates once prices are clearly rising and secure growth is seem.
ECB's Mersch says rates in tightening phase
European Central Bank Governing Council member Yves Mersch said in an interview with Boersen-Zeitung newspaper published Thursday 26 April that the ECB's phase of interest rate increases isn't over yet.
BoE's Tucker on financial system developments
In the speech 'A perspective on recent monetary and financial system developments' given on 26 April Paul Tucker of the Bank of England suggested that UK interest rates are nearing levels at which they will really cut into economic activity.