Interest rates
China holds loan prime rates
PBoC stays put again as yuan strengthens after Trump signals potential trade talks with Xi
Bank Indonesia holds rates at 5.75%
Central bank faces dilemma of whether to prioritise bolstering growth or propping up currency
New Zealand continues easing cycle with 50bp cut
Trade concerns take centre stage as RBNZ delivers fourth consecutive reduction
Australia cuts rates for first time since 2020
RBA delivers long-awaited 25bp reduction but says markets are overconfident about further easing
China to make use of all monetary tools to boost growth
PBoC flags external volatility and renews pledge to support economy in quarterly report
UK economy vulnerable to Trump tariffs – BoE’s Greene
MPC member says US has outsized financial impact as biggest single-country trading partner
Philippines unexpectedly pauses easing cycle
BSP would have continued cutting if not for “uncertainty over trade policy”, governor says
Powell: ‘We’re close, but not there yet on inflation’
Fed chair also addresses bank independence, climate risk and CBDCs during testimony before Congress
Bigger rate cut would have sent clearer signal, says BoE dissenter
MPC member says UK’s economic outlook would have justified 50bp reduction
Mexico accelerates easing with 50bp cut
Board members, unfazed by uncertainty in US, speed up loosening as inflation slows
Fed vice-chair says rate cuts most likely over medium term
Jefferson says inflation and labour risks are in balance and cautions against immediate policy shift
Bank of Japan official reaffirms rate hike path
BoJ’s journey to policy normalisation continues as wage growth stays strong
Fed can afford to wait on rates, say regional heads
Atlanta and Chicago presidents say uncertainty over economy means it’s too soon to talk of more cuts
Trump reverses course on Fed decision
US president says central bank was right to hold rates in January
Colombia unexpectedly holds policy rate
Central bank pauses easing cycle as minimum wage hike complicates inflation dynamics
Argentina cuts rates by 300bp to 29%
Central bank will also slow peso’s monthly devaluation rate, starting from next week
South Africa delivers third successive rate cut
Move comes as inflation remains at lower end of target range
Brazil again raises rates by 100bp
BCB signals further rises amid persistently high inflation and lingering concerns over public finances
Fed holds rates amid pressure from White House
Powell says he has had no contact with Trump since president said he would “demand” easing of policy
Bank of Canada cuts rates and ends quantitative tightening
Macklem says monetary policy cannot offset negative effects of tariffs
Sri Lanka holds rates amid persistent deflation
Central bank expects price falls to intensify owing to cuts in electricity tariffs
Pakistan delivers sixth consecutive rate cut
Decision taking benchmark rate to 12% means policy has been eased by 1,000bp since last June
Trump’s rate cuts ‘demand’ spells trouble for Fed – economists
Comments will cause problems for central bank and threaten its independence, academics claim
Book notes: Central bank capitalism: monetary policy in times of crisis, by Joscha Wullweber
This book asks if independent monetary policy is feasible at a time when central banks prop up the poorly regulated shadow banking sector