Economics
Sveriges Riksbank Inflation Report, No. 4, 2005
Sweden's central bank, the Sveriges Riksbank, published its Fourth Inflation Report for 2005 on Friday 2 December. After a temporary slowdown at the beginning of the year, growth has picked up again, both in Sweden and in the world economy as a whole,…
BoJ's Fukui on Japan's economy
In a speech given on 18 October (published 21 November) Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said Japan's economy has emerged from its temporary pause and continues to recover.
Fed's Greenspan on budget policy
In the speech 'Budget policy' given on 2 December Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said good short-term prospects for the U.S. economy should not distract from huge looming fiscal strains that pose "significant" economic risks.
Trichet tight-lipped on future of ECB rates
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet declined to comment on Friday 2 December on the possibility of further rises in euro zone interest rates.
ECB Council Members back rate decision
European Central Bank council members Christian Noyer, Axel Weber, and Klaus Liebscher came out in defense of Thursday's decision to raise eurozone interest rates, saying it won't hurt economic growth.
RBA's Gerard resigns from Board
Australian businessman Robert Gerard resigned from the Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate setting Board on Friday 2 December, four days after reports he had to pay $150 million ($111 million) to settle a tax dispute.
Comment: IMF criticises ECB's move
The decision by the ECB to increase interest rates by 25 basis points has come in for a fair amount of criticism in the press and from market analysts. On Thursday 1 December the eurozone's central bank received another stinging blow.
Yuan reform takes time
According to this article published on Monday 28 November, it's likely that China will permit further appreciation of its currency. What's certain, it says, is that Beijing won't allow itself to be seen as bowing to pressure.
Trichet on growth potential & structural reforms
In the speech 'Growth potential, labour productivity and structural reforms in Europe' given on 10 November Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said we need structural reforms to make sure that the soil is fertile enough for the seeds of technological…
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, November 2005
The Federal Reserve published its November 2005 Beige Book survey on 30 November. US economic activity increased across the country through mid-November but the housing market has cooled and high energy prices have raised concern about consumer spending…
ECB raises rates, but says no series planned
The European Central Bank raised its main interest rate, for the first time in five years, by 0.25% to 2.25% on Thursday 1 December in a move that had been widely expected.
Mizuno says BOJ should shorten policy debate
Bank of Japan board member Atsushi Mizuno said in a speech the BOJ should not spend too much time debating over policy with the government or financial markets to avoid being "late" in shifting policy.
China says revaluation to slow reserves rise
The rapid build-up in China's foreign exchange reserves should slow following the revaluation this year of the renminbi, the People's Bank of China said on Wednesday 30 November.
Snow says Europe could perform better
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said Thursday 1 December G7 finance ministers would discuss a familiar list of subjects at their meeting this weekend, including slow growth in Europe.
Former RBA chief says Gerard should quit
Former Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Bernie Fraser said RBA board member Robert Gerard should resign after a report he had to pay A$150 million (US$111 million) to settle a tax dispute.
Comment: None the wiser
The ECB has raised interest rates as expected, but its explanations for the much-criticised decision reveal little on its motivations or the future path of rates.
Sveriges Riksbank Economic Review 3rd Quarter 2005
The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Economic Review for the 3rd Quarter 2005. This special edition is devoted to Dag Hammarskjold, whose 100th anniversary was marked with a seminar illustrating his work as an economist and his time at the Riksbank…
ECB paper: Near-rational exuberance
This ECB Working Paper published November 2005 studies how the use of judgement or "add-factors" in macroeconomic forecasting may disturb the set of equilibrium outcomes when agents learn using recursive methods.
Mexico's Ortiz targets inflation, spurs growth
While the Federal Reserve has been busy raising interest rates, the Bank of Mexico has headed in the other direction, cutting its key rate on 24 Nov for the fourth consecutive month, this article published Wednesday notes.
BoE's Walton sees no rush for rate move
David Walton, the newest member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, told the Times that inflation could easily remain above the Bank's 2 percent target for some months while economic growth seemed to have recovered somewhat.
ECCB to host development conference
The St. Kitts-based East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has announced it will be hosting its ninth annual development conference on Thursday 1 December in the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium at the ECCB Headquarters.
Riksbank research on exchnage rates
Sweden's Riksbank has initiated cooperation with a number of external researchers as a complement to the bank's regular research to make a broader, more in-depth analysis of the development of the Swedish krona and its determinants.
BOJ deputy suggests 1% inflation benchmark
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kazumasa Iwata said the consumer price index needs to show a year-on-year rise of 1 pct over a period of 1-1/2 to two years to ensure that deflation is defeated, the Nikkei News Service reported.
ECB's Bini Smaghi says rates could rise
The European Central Bank could raise its official interest rate to 2.25 pct from 2.00, when the bank's governing council meets tomorrow, said ECB executive Lorenzo Bini Smaghi on Wednesday 30 November