Interest rates
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, November 2006
The Deutsche Bundesbank published the English version of its November 2006 Monthly Report on Thursday 14 December. The report said euro- zone interest rates are still very low and inflation risks persist despite a recent drop in the inflation rate.
ECB's Stark says eurozone rates still low
European Central Bank (ECB) Chief Economist Juergen Stark said Thursday 14 December the bank's interest rate policy is still accommodative and noted that levels are low.
Buba's Weber says ECB won't bow to rate pressure
The European Central Bank will definitely not put off possible further rises in interest rates to avoid potential clashes with eurozone politicians, Bundesbank President Axel Weber said Friday 15 December in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine…
Sweden's Riksbank raises rates to 3%
The Sveriges Riksbank increased its repo rate to 3.00 pct from 2.75 pct Friday 15 December in response to rising inflation combined with continued good levels of economic activity.
BoJ poised to leave rates unchanged - report
The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates unchanged next week in its final policy board meeting for 2006, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday 13 December, without citing sources.
SNB raises interest rates by 25 basis points
Swiss National Bank (SNB) president Jean-Pierre Roth told a half-yearly press conference on Thursday 14 December the SNB will continue to pursue its strategy of gradual normalisation of monetary policy if the economy behaves as expected.
US Fed keeps benchmark rate unchanged
The U.S. Federal Reserve held key interest rates steady at 5.25 percent for a fourth straight meeting on Tuesday 12 December, while renewing a warning that risks from inflation remain.
'Still low' says Mersch on ECB rates
Luxembourg central bank governor Yves Mersch said Wednesday 13 December the European Central Bank's interest rates are "still low".
Norges Bank raises rates to 3.50%
The Norwegian central bank said Wednesday 13 December it has decided to raise the sight deposit rate to 3.50 pct from 3.25 pct, effective from Thursday.
Side effects for ECB transparency
This article from the Financial Times, published Monday 11 December, says that a mixture of good luck and good judgment has made this a good year for the ECB.
Israel's Fischer says rate cuts will be gradual
The governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fischer on Monday 11 December said he would reduce interest rates gradually because any "drastic" reduction would cause inflation to break the bank's target.
Fed's FOMC likely to hold US interest rates
The US economy is in fairly good shape despite the flagging housing and auto industries, suggesting the Federal Reserve will leave US interest rates unchanged at its meeting Tuesday 12 December.
Belgium's Quaden says don't panic on rate levels
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said Monday 11 December eurozone countries have no cause for alarm over interest rates and currency levels.
Brazil central bank considered rate cut
Brazil's central bank said Thursday 7 December in minutes from its last Copom meeting that it doesn't expect an eventual pick up in economic activity to stoke inflation.
ECB raises interest rates to 3.5%
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday 7 December it was essential to act in a "firm and timely manner" to safeguard price stability in the eurozone,after the bank raised interest rates from 3.25pct to 3.5pct.
BoJ's Nishimura concerned over slow consumption
Bank of Japan board member Kiyohiko Nishimura said in a speech on Wednesday 6 December further interest rate hikes by the BoJ are expected to be "gradual" as far as inflation expectations remain low, adding he is "greatly concerned" about slow domestic…
UK's Lomax: rate hike was inflation 'insurance'
Rachel Lomax, a deputy governor at the Bank of England suggested that successive interest rate hikes by the Bank this year were akin to "buying insurance" against possible inflation spikes.
UK rates have peaked - OECD
British interest rates are likely to have hit their peak according to the OECD's latest Economic Report, released on 28 November.
Bank of Israel cuts rates again
The Bank of Israel lowered its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points on 27 November. This second reduction in two months takes rates to 5%.
Muto says BoJ to raise rates when needed - report
The Bank of Japan would carry out an additional interest rate hike once it confirms a need to act, BoJ deputy governor Toshiro Muto said in an interview with Jiji Press published Tuesday 21 November.
Mohan says RBI to focus on price stability
The Reserve Bank of India said on Tuesday 21 November it would lay emphasis on price stability so that there is possibility of lower interest rates in the medium term.
Japan's economy to keep growing - minutes
The Bank of Japan reiterated plans to raise interest rates ``gradually,'' keeping pace with inflation and growth in the world's second-largest economy, minutes of a policy board meeting held last month showed Tuesday 21 November.
BOJ chief sees risk assessed rate rises
The Bank of Japan will adjust interest rates gradually while ensuring its policy actions remain supportive of the domestic economy and that growth remains sustainable, BOJ governor Toshihiko Fukui said Sunday 19 November.
IMF's Rato says more rate rises may be needed
International Monetary Fund managing director Rodrigo de Rato said in an interview with Bloomberg on Friday 17 November that central banks may need to increase interest rates further to keep inflation under wraps, amid faster global economic growth.