Middle East conflict
Trends in reserve management 2026: survey results
101 central banks, responsible for $9.5trn+ reserves, reveal exclusive data on FX interventions, if the US dollar is still seen as a safe-haven currency and approaches to investing in 20+ currencies
RBA tightens again as Iran war pushes up inflation
Price shocks caused by conflict have made all Australians poorer, governor says
ECB holds and faces dilemma of whether to hike in June
Lagarde says direction is ‘clear’ as Iran conflict worsens outlook for inflation and growth
BoE holds rates at 3.75%
Bank outlines scenarios involving varying degrees of conflict-induced inflation in UK
Chile holds policy, pointing to rising risks from Iran war
BCCh says rate path will be considered meeting by meeting, given ‘greater than usual’ uncertainty
Thailand holds policy as expected
BoT says Middle East conflict has had direct impact on domestic growth
BoJ holds rates and halves growth forecast
Three dissenting votes mark largest split under Ueda, who points to ‘significantly’ higher inflation
Schlegel suggests SNB prefers FX interventions to negative rates
President says central bank will adjust policy ‘if necessary’
BSP tightens to fight inflation caused by Middle East conflict
Governor says easing cycle is over as bank forecasts price rises of 6.1% this year and 4.1% in 2027
Indonesia holds policy as rupiah stabilisation efforts continue
BI says impact of Middle East conflict continues to affect currency’s value
Lagarde says fiscal response to energy shock must be targeted
Price caps and tax cuts must ‘preserve price signal’ or risk inflationary spiral, ECB president says
Shin promotes novel approaches in inaugural address at BoK
Ex-BIS chief economist formally appointed head of South Korean central bank
Pakistan central bank seeks to reassure international investors
Governor says country in better position to weather shocks than before Ukraine war
PBoC says world in flux calls for more IMF involvement
Pan Gongsheng says world should confront ‘enormous challenges’ with multilateralism
GCC will ride out economic headwinds – panel
Experts at IMF meetings highlight Gulf states’ dynamism, notwithstanding war’s impact on Mena region
BoK, RBNZ, SNB and Spain to ‘wait and see’ on Iran war
Governors say policy should consider longer-term price effects of Middle East conflict
EU-US relations ‘broken in a deep way’ by Trump 2.0 – Blanchard
Economist says 27-strong bloc must not take sides with Beijing or Washington
UK will not hit 2% inflation target over long term – BoE’s Mann
MPC member says sluggish productivity growth is also acting as ‘speed limit’ for economy
Bahrain launches support package amid conflict uncertainty
Bank offers loan deferrals and liquidity measures as World Bank highlights country’s economic vulnerabilities
Central banks should stick to what they know, say governors
Focusing on key existing objectives is preferable to taking on new ones, say panellists
Singapore tightens policy for first time in four years
MAS notes ‘considerable risks’ to inflation and growth outlook since start of Middle East conflict
Asean pledges deeper integration in face of Middle East uncertainty
Bloc’s finance ministers and central bank governors highlight increased geopolitical risks
Peru holds rates as inflation breaches target range
BCRP says impact of supply shocks, both domestic and international, will ‘gradually dissipate’
Poland and Serbia hold rates
Both central banks cite effects of Middle East conflict in explaining policy decisions