Interest rates
Japanese cabinet minister backs BOJ rate hike
Japan's Economic and Fiscal Policy minister Kaoru Yosano told public broadcaster NHK conditions are being met for an imminent rate hike by the Bank of Japan.
Riksbank united on rate increase, minutes show
The board of the Swedish Riksbank was unanimous in its 19 June decision to hike the repo rate by 25 basis points to 2.25 pct, according to the minutes of the monetary policy meeting published Monday 3 July.
Fed's 17th increase leaves India with no choice
According to this article published Monday 3 July by Bloomberg, the Reserve Bank of India cannot afford to skip another quarter-point increase in July, with the Federal Reserve boosting rates last week.
Report says BOJ likely to start raising rates
The Bank of Japan is expected to start raising interest rates this month or next, a news report said Monday 3 June.
Fed raises rates, suggests may be nearing end
The Federal Reserve raised US interest rates to the highest point in more than five years Thursday 29 June and suggested the rate hike cycle may be nearing the end.
When facts change, central bank intentions should
According to this article published by the Financial Times on Wednesday 28 June, by Francesco Giavazzi and Charles Wyplosz, the Bank of England, which once pioneered transparency and innovative communication, is trailing behind other central banks.
Comment: When 364 economists were wrong
It is rare to find two economists who can agree on anything, but in 1981 no less than 364 British economists agreed to write an open letter condemning the tightness of that year's budget. Amongst them: a certain Mervyn King.
Federal Reserve expected to raise rates
Federal Reserve policymakers were widely expected to finish a two-day meeting on Thursday 29 June, by raising US interest rates for the 17th consecutive time to 5.25 percent.
Comment: Bold CBT holds its breath
After another emergency meeting over the weekend the Central Bank of Turkey has raised interest rates by 225 basis points (bp). This has taken interest rates to 17.25%, following an initial hike of 175 bp earlier this month. Will this bold move make any…
Garganas says ECB may aggressively raise rates
European Central Bank council member Nicholas Garganas said in an interview the bank is ready to accelerate the pace of interest-rate increases to counter higher inflation risks in the eurozone.
ECB keeping rate options open says Quaden
The European Central Bank is not ruling out the possibility of an interest rate hike in early August, ECB governing council member Guy Quaden was quoted as saying in an interview published Monday 26 June.
Study says markets on Fed's wavelength
According to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, better communication by the U.S. central bank has dramatically cut mistakes by markets betting on future interest rate moves.
BOJ's Nishimura sees low rates problem
Keeping Japan's interest rates at low levels for a prolonged period may cause excessive investment by companies and overstimulate economic growth, according to Kiyohiko Nishimura, a Bank of Japan policy maker.
ECB's Trichet on economic and monetary issues
In the testimony given on 21 June Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the insight that price stability is the primary goal for monetary policy has also been translated into the mandates of central banks of advanced economies and also of a very large…
Bank of England voted 7-1 to hold rates
Bank of England policymakers voted 7-1 to leave UK interest rates unchanged at their 7-8 June meeting, minutes released Wednesday 21 June showed.
Hedge funds vs. central bankers
This article from the Los Angeles Times Service, published Wednesday 21 June, asks what on earth is going on with world stock markets?
Trichet will 'fiercely' defend ECB independence
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told the European Parliament on Wednesday 21 June that he will "fiercely" defend the independence of the ECB.
Comment: Eastern European tightrope
Amidst renewed inflation fears in the developed world and the prospects of further interest rate hikes there, a number of central banks in Eastern Europe and the Baltics will be silently grateful for a little bit of latitude. But with question marks…
Fukui says reserve level reduction nearly complete
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday 15 June that the reduction in the level of banks' current account reserves at the BOJ is nearly complete.
Comment: May inflation surprise
In a murky environment, this week's inflation data was billed as crucial to providing clarity on the future direction of US interest rates in the months to come. By that logic, another hike in two weeks time is a certainty, with another probably…
Comment: Fukui's gaffe
Bank of Japan governor, Toshihiko Fukui, faces an uncertain future following his admission of a supposedly unethical investment. Even though prime minister Junichiro Koizumi immediately jumped to Fukui's defence, pundits are already saying the incident…
Nyberg on the Riksbank's monetary policy strategy
In the speech 'The Riksbank's monetary policy strategy' given on 19 May Lars Nyberg of the Sveriges Riksbank said the decision to hold the repo rate unchanged at the most recent monetary policy meeting was not a self-evident decision.
Fukui says BoJ will 'carefully watch' markets
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday 13 June that the central bank will "carefully watch" the impact of financial markets on the real economy.
Comment: Hawkish Fed
After a string of speeches by its senior staff this week, the Fed appears to be in an increasingly hawkish mood. The growing perception that that US interest rates will have to rise further could be bolstered by today's release of consumer price data for…