Economics
China hikes rates, loosens currency markets
The People's Bank of China raised interest rates for the fourth time in a year on 18 May and widened the yuan's daily trading limit against the dollar.
ECB holds rates steady
The European Central Bank held its key interest rate steady at 3.75% on 17 May, in the light of strong growth prospects but hinted that inflation is becoming a concern.
Kuwait removes dinar's dollar peg
The central bank of Kuwait de-linked its currency, the dinar, from the depreciating dollar on 20 May and opted for an exchange rate mechanism tied to a basket of other currencies.
Latest St Louis Fed Review published
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has published its May/June issue of its Review, a journal covering national and international economic developments, particularly focusing on their monetary aspects.
Trichet interview
This Financial Times interview with Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, covers a variety of topics from the German economy and eurozone growth, to the need for further structural reforms on the Continent, and the prospects of the…
Bank of Canada Review, Spring 2007
The Bank of Canada published its Review for Spring 2007 on Thursday 17 May. The Review includes the article 'Renewing the International Monetary Fund: A review of the issues'.
Fed's Kroszner on globalization & capital markets
In the speech 'Globalization and capital markets: Implications for inflation and the yield curve' given on 16 May Randall Kroszner of the Federal Reserve said the ease that investors can move money around the globe has spurred a "currency competition"…
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, May 2007
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's May 2007 Business Outlook Survey, activity in the region's manufacturing sector improved slightly in May.
Thai fin min wants to keep control of BoT
Reuters quoted a senior official this week as saying the Thai Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn wants to keep the power to appoint or fire the Bank of Thailand governor.
ECB head says UK should join eurozone
Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, questioned the UK's refusal to join the eurozone, in an interview in the Financial Times on 17 May.
Europeans react to Wolfowitz departure
Following the announcement that Paul Wolfowitz, the under-fire president of the World Bank, will step down on 30 June, European government officials are calling for the Bank to rebuild its credibility.
If China's market bubble flattens, will SA pop?
This article, from the South African "Business Report", examines what the possible outcome to the country will be if Chinese stock markets undergo a sudden correction.
ECB Monthly Bulletin, May 2007
The European Central Bank published its May 2007 Monthly Bulletin on Thursday 17 May. In the report the ECB reiterated that it is exercising strong vigilance on inflation risks.
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, April 2007
The Deutsche Bundesbank published the English version of its April 2007 Monthly Report on Wednesday 16 May. The report said German GDP growth in the first quarter is expected to have slowed compared with the fourth quarter last year.
Fed's Bernanke on the subprime mortgage market
In the speech 'The subprime mortgage market' given on 17 May Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said a rash of mortgage problems is not expected to affect the broader economy and the Fed would move to crack down on abusive lending practices.
Fukui again says rates must rise
In further comments on Japan's interest rates, Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday 17 May rates should increase gradually to support economic growth amid price stability.
Greenspan joins Pimco in first post-Fed role
Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has signed on as a consultant to Newport Beach-based bond investment giant Pacific Investment Management, known as Pimco, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday 16 May.
Noyer says Europe may experience sustained growth
European Central Bank governing council member Christian Noyer said on Wednesday 16 May that Europe could be experiencing a period of sustained, stable growth.
Bheenick: Towards the African Monetary Union
In the speech 'Towards the African Monetary Union' given on 9 May Rundheersing Bheenick of the Bank of Mauritius said the launching of the Monetary Policy Committee as a statutory committee of the Bank of Mauritius marked the start of a new era in…
Phil Fed's Survey of Professional Forecasters
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia published its Second Quarter 2007 Survey of Professional Forecasters on 14 May. The outlook for core inflation looks about the same now as it did three months ago, according to 53 forecasters surveyed.
Bank of England Inflation Report, May 2007
The Bank of England published its May 2007 Inflation Report on 16 May. At a press conference BoE governor Mervyn King signalled interest rates may have to increase again to bring inflation back to target.
King hints that Greenspan's comments are unhelpful
Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, told a press conference on Wednesday 16 May that it isn't helpful for former central bankers to comment on aspects of monetary policy or economic conditions.
ECB's Noyer warns on 'benign conditions'
European Central Bank governing council member Christian Noyer said in a speech Wednesday 16 May that benign conditions in financial markets can be reversed.
Fed's Kroszner on international capital flows
In the speech 'International capital flows and the emerging market economies' given on 15 May Randall Kroszner of the Federal Reserve said developing nations are hurt over time by capital outflows to industrialized economies and should improve their…