Interest rates
U.K. interest rates are heading for a decline
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee will decide on UK interest rates this Thursday. This article published on Wednesday 7 September suggests there will no surprise when the MPC leaves interest rates unchanged at 4.5 per cent, but rates are…
Bank of Canada raises interest rates by 0.25%
The Bank of Canada announced on Wednesday 7 September that it is raising its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 2 3/4 per cent.
Fed may raise rates even after Hurricane Katrina
According to this article published on Tuesday 6 September, the outcome of the next Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for two weeks from today, is not a foregone conclusion, for the first time in nearly two years.
Chicago's Moskow on the US economic outlook
In the speech 'U.S. economic outlook' given on 24 August Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said the United States needs higher interest rates to keep inflation down as the job market tightens and energy prices remain high.
Fed's Kohn on financial markets
In a speech given on 27 August Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve defended the central bank's practice of signalling interest rate moves, saying less-clear statements may hurt the economy.
ECB's Trichet on monetary policy
In the speech 'Monetary policy and 'credible alertness'' given on 27 August, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB defended the ECB's infrequent intervention in interest rates compared to the US Federal Reserve.
Modest pay, one term 'best' for central bankers
A new study says that Europe's central bank chiefs should receive only modest pay and serve just a single term in office to avoid self interest creeping into interest rate decisions. It also found that limited terms and confidential interest rate…
Bank of Canada's speech for 25 August cancelled
A speech that Bank of Canada deputy governor Sheryl Kennedy was due to give in New Brunswick on 25 August has been cancelled, the central bank said on Thursday 19 August.
In search of King's defence
Two articles published Thursday reflected on the Bank of England's last MPC meeting which saw the governor outvoted for the first time. One says the UK's "boring" monetary policy just got a whole lot more interesting, noting that heavyweight Charlie Bean…
Oil-market frenzy and the Fed
This editorial by The Washington Times, published on Tuesday 16 August, says the job of the Federal Reserve has become far more complicated today. Today, following years in which international financial markets have been increasingly integrated, global…
Bank of England MPC Minutes, 3 & 4 August
The minutes from the 3 & 4 August meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee published on Wednesday 17 August showed governor Mervyn King and three other top officials voted against this month's decision by the nine member MPC to cut…
SNB says rates won't stay low for long
A recovery in the Swiss economy will probably take interest rates higher sooner rather later, according to a central bank board member in a newspaper interview published on Wednesday 17 August.
Fed is content with size, pace of rate increases
This article published on Wednesday 10 August suggests why impatient analysts are wrong to complain that the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates too slowly.
Korea suggests it may hike rates
The Bank of Korea said on Thursday 11 August that it would consider increasing interest rates if the economy recovered fully.
Italian economy minister wants ECB rate cut
Italy's deputy economy minister Mario Baldassari said he favours the European Central Bank cutting its interest rates, as well as the euro being valued at parity with the dollar.
Australian govt to quiz RBA chief on economy
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Ian Macfarlane will be grilled Friday 12 August on the chances of another rate rise, or possibly a rate cut, in coming months.
German finance minister calls for ECB rate cut
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Clement called on the European Central Bank to cut interest rates, saying it was "remarkably" more reserved than other central banks.
Fed raises rates, maintains measured stance
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 9 August to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3-1/2 percent. The FOMC maintained its measured stance on monetary policy accommodation.
Why interest rates could plunge as low as 3.5%
The 6th May 1997 is a date that is burnt into the minds of Bank of England employees, according to this article published on Monday 8 August. Since being granted its independence, the Bank has built up an eight-year track record of independent thought…
ECB's Issing sees positive signals on economy
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing said in an interview there have been a series of positive signals on the economy, but said high oil price could curb growth.
Bank of England reduces rates by 0.25%
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted on Thursday 4 August to reduce the Bank's repo rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.5%.
ECB rates on hold a while longer says Stark
The ECB's decision not to change rates at its meeting on Thursday 4 August was foreshadowed in a newspaper interview with Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark who said muted price pressures allow rates to remain on hold for a while longer.
Costello says RBA decision reflects solid growth
Treasurer Peter Costello said the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to leave interest rates at 5.5 per cent after its monthly board meeting on Wednesday 3 August reflects continuing solid economic growth in the country.
Bank of England set to cut interest rates
The Bank of England is widely expected to reduce UK interest rates when it concludes its 100th Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Thursday 4 August.