Monetary Policy
Fed will begin ETF purchases today
Central bank outlines fund selection strategy but keeps investors guessing on specifics
Sri Lankan central bank threatens regulatory action to bring down rates
CBSL cuts rates again and warns banks they must pass lower rates on to customers
Fed set to adopt ‘elements’ of price-level targeting
Covid-19 could act as a catalyst for a Janet Yellen-supported Fed move to adopt elements of price-level targeting. But questions remain about the timing of such a move
Norway’s central bank cuts policy rate to zero
Norges Bank’s move brings rate to record low, as central bank warns of “substantial” shock
BoE predicts sharp fall and fast recovery for UK
Forecasters predict limited long-term scarring from virus shock; banks are in strong position to lend, stress test finds
Sri Lankan central bank looks back at ‘dismal’ year
Economy was just recovering from terrorist attacks when Covid-19 hit, CBSL says
RBA holds rate and reveals forecast scenarios
Cash rate target remains at 0.25%; RBA maintains three-year bond yield target at 0.25%
Bank Negara Malaysia cuts rate as global outlook darkens
Fresh easing measures come as central bank foresees “particularly challenging” first half of year
Fed could purchase $750 billion of corporate debt in new facilities
Fed clears staff to purchase investment- and non-investment-grade debt and ETFs
Zimbabwean central bank cuts rates and attempts currency controls
RBZ loosens policy as IMF predicts massive contraction in GDP for already-weakened country
BoE eases funding terms as government launches ‘bounce back’ loans
Loans will be excluded from leverage ratio calculations
Debts, deficits, central banks and inflation
Forrest Capie and Geoffrey Wood ask what insights history can provide for central banks and governments managing abrupt, large increases in debt
Colombia reduces rates as economy faces sharp recession
Central bank reduces rate by 50 basis points to 3.25%, GDP expected to fall by 10% in Q2
ECB launches new lending facility, but holds rates
Lagarde announces cut for banks’ borrowing rate, but the ECB has not expanded asset purchases
Fed predicts ‘unprecedented’ economic shock
Policy on hold as Q2 may see data “worse than any data we have seen”, Powell warns
Riksbank open to future rate cut
Swedish central bank keeps stimulus package unchanged in monetary policy meeting
Fed expands local government liquidity facility
Programme faced criticism for leaving out regions with heavy Native American and African-American populations
Riksbank unveils details of local bond purchases
Swedish central bank to buy up to Skr5 billion from Kommuninvest i Sverige
Bank of Japan steps up stimulus with unlimited JGB purchases
BoJ drops limit on government debt and quadruples corporate bond cap, but it is unclear if purchases will actually increase
Turkey continues easing cycle with 100bp cut
Policy-makers see oil shock creating room for stronger easing
Bank of Mexico cuts rates in emergency meeting
Central bank unveils set of measures to boost liquidity amounting to $30.5 billion, 3.3% of GDP
Riksbank will start buying municipal bonds
Central bank includes new assets in 300 billion kronor purchase programme
Fed’s balance sheet increases by 50% since March
Total assets now just shy of $6.4 trillion, a new record high
