Inflation
Higher inflation in Norway supports tighter outlook
Norges Bank brings forward its first planned rate hike to late 2018
Riksbank closer to tightening policy, governor Ingves says
Minutes show disagreements over future policy among policymakers
Argentina cuts rates, but keeps focus on inflation
Analysts express concerns over the decision, as inflation remains high
Fall in hours worked can flatten Phillips curve, Italian paper says
Changes to “intensive margin of labour utilisation” may make inflation less responsive to employment
SNB expects record profits for 2017
Swiss central bank benefits from high asset prices and a weaker franc
First Romanian policy hike in a decade
Central bank hikes policy rate for the first time since 2008, as inflation exceeds forecasts
Richmond Fed paper explores Fed’s monetary policy history
The author identifies a lack of consensus on the nature of the monetary regime as a policy weakness
Angola looks to abandon currency peg
Crippled by low commodity prices, Angola’s kwanza will be allowed to float within a range, governor says
Argentina lifts target as inflation persists
IMF recommended keeping tighter monetary stance in latest report in December; Argentina’s move could impact central bank credibility
Rwandan central bank cuts rates to historical low
Inflation falls from 6.4% to 2.2% in 12 months; growth supported by higher commodity prices and improved agricultural performance
2017: The year in review
Over the past year, the global economy regained some strength, and some central banks began to return their policy to normal; but it was not all smooth sailing
Cambodia shortens duration of liquid reserves ahead of election – reserves chief
De-dollarisation and lack of interbank market make forex intervention the only real policy tool left for National Bank of Cambodia
Bank of Japan keeps policy setting on hold
BoJ keeps policy on hold as inflation target remains elusive; Goshi Kataoka dissents again
Riksbank moves towards normalisation; interest rate on hold
Executive board votes to keep the interest rate at –0.5%; says it will end QE programme in December 2017
FOMC will lose two dissenting doves in 2018
Kashkari and Evans were the only members who voted against the last rate rise on December 13
Google’s Hal Varian on how technology is changing economics
Google’s chief economist talks to Christopher Jeffery about how big data and machine learning are facilitating changes in economic thinking; discusses the impact technical breakthroughs may have for central banks
Bank of Mexico hikes rates as inflation rises
Central bank resumes tightening path as Mexican economy faces trade and currency challenges
SNB keeps accommodative policy unchanged
Central bank acknowledges Swiss franc’s depreciation, but still considers the development “fragile”
BoE expects UK inflation slowdown
Bank of England keeps rates on hold at 0.5%; disinflationary base effects likely to outweigh tightening labour market in near term
Fed hikes as Yellen hails strong job growth
Janet Yellen gives her last press conference as Federal Reserve chair
Early asset purchases much more successful – BIS paper
Authors find effectiveness falls over time as the shock wears off, questioning the value of long-running quantitative easing
Weak inflation in Nordic countries likely to keep rates on hold
Sveriges Riksbank and Norges Bank set to prolong their dovish stances in last policy meeting of 2017; Iceland holds rates
Lower inflation brings relief for Argentina’s central bank
Central bank leaves interest rates on hold at 28.75%, as year-on-year inflation lowers to 22.5%
UK inflation breaks out of target band
Inflation now above the BoE’s 3% upper limit, though breach may prove temporary