Monetary policy
BoJ ups asset purchases to curb bond market pressure
The Bank of Japan has increased the size of JGB purchase operation and announced unlimited purchases of 10-year JGBs at a fixed rate of 0.11%
Yellen warns of debt impact on productivity
Fed chair states in “strongest possible terms” that the current spending by the US government is unsustainable and could harm productivity
BEAC to implement measures to rebuild reserves across region
African central bank to restrict bank refinancing, while attempting to modernise its liquidity and monetary policy framework; previous monetary policy has contributed to current account deficit
Bank of Canada hikes for first time in seven years
Bank of Canada becomes the latest advanced economy central bank to hike as the economy proves robust and inflation moves towards target
Vietnamese central bank cuts rates, despite IMF credit warning
Decision contradicts IMF advice to keep monetary policy on hold to contain rapid credit growth, but growth and inflation have disappointed
Bullard raises concerns about east coast dominance of the Fed
St Louis Fed president is not worried about the major shake-up of the board of governors; points to reducing the influence of the New York Fed on the FOMC
St Louis’s Bullard on the future of the Fed and its monetary policy record
St Louis Fed president James Bullard rails against east coast dominance, favours aspects of the Choice Act and says Fed monetary policy was a “factor” that fuelled crisis
Bank of Thailand raises growth forecast amid weak inflation
Thai central bank says it is waiting for economic growth to become more broad-based, as inflation continues to disappoint
US policy having a larger impact on credit – BIS paper
Monetary policy’s effects on credit and housing markets have grown while the effects on inflation have weakened, paper finds
Inflation data causes rift in FOMC
Fed officials discuss whether incoming low inflation data is “transitory” or is a sign of worrying things to come; minutes outline balance sheet unwinding but date remains unknown
New leaders take charge at Philippines central bank
New governor pledges to enhance financial inclusion, mitigate cyber-crime risk and fine-tune monetary policy to make it more market-oriented
Divided Central Bank of Colombia votes to cut interest rates
Worries about inflation not returning to target spur board to cut interest rates to 5.75%; external conditions remain a concern despite slightly better inflation data
Bank of Canada broadening intelligence gathering with new survey
Systemic risk survey will be launched next year, says deputy governor, emphasising market intelligence can never provide a “perfectly complete picture”
Bank of Jamaica chooses overnight deposits for new policy rate
Bank of Jamaica continues to make changes to monetary policy framework with goal of fully fledged inflation targeting in mind
Bond sell-off slows as markets digest central bank comments
Upbeat comments from ECB and BoE chiefs trigger brief tantrum, but bond markets now appear to be settling down
Carney comments lead to sterling wobbles
Pound leaps as markets interpret comments as sign Bank of England governor is contemplating a rate hike later this year
Monetary policy ‘significantly’ affects the trade balance – paper
IMF paper links the effects of monetary policy on trade and its impaired transmission following the financial crisis
BoJ told to improve communication on potential exit from stimulus
Speculation is growing over the timing and method of the exit from the stimulus programme, creating a new communication challenge for the BoJ
RBNZ’s Hannah: central bank is working to close trust gap
Survey in 2014 showed how poor public understanding of the central bank’s work went hand in hand with low trust
RBI minutes: ‘abrupt’ retreat of inflation calls for caution
MPC members express surprise at swift retreat of food prices, though they warn against setting policy by looking in the “rearview mirror”
BoE’s Forbes points to bias among overworked MPC members
Senior Bank of England officials are overworked and heavily scrutinised, which may make it harder for them to take tough decisions, Kristin Forbes says in her final speech as an MPC member
Recovery increasingly resilient; inflation predictions down – ECB
GDP forecasts revised up and ECB says recovery is “broadening”, but inflation projections revised down
Asset purchase programme is key to central bank credibility – ECB paper
Researchers analyse market reactions to unconventional monetary policy decisions
Riksbank claims rate forecast success, despite inaccuracies
Study of 10 years of repo rate forecasting concludes it is a useful tool for setting and communicating policy, although forecasts “have not been particularly accurate”