Inflation
Bank of Canada raises raises rates to 4.5%
The Bank of Canada has raised interest rates by 25 basis points despite its currency's recent appreciation again the US dollar which has taken it to its strongest level in 30 years against the greenback. The Bank of Canada said economic growth and…
Gieve says more to be done to hit inflation target
For the second time in as many weeks, John Gieve, the deputy governor of the Bank of England, has suggested that the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has not done enough to bring inflation back to its 2% target.
China's Wu Xiaoling cool on asset prices
The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, will not use monetary policy directly to target stock market or real estate prices, deputy governor, Wu Xiaoling, said on 7 July.
Peru's interest rates at six-year high
The Central Bank of Peru unexpectedly raised its reference rate to 4.75% from 4.5% on 5 July, as strong economic growth, boosted by domestic demand and metal exports, threatened rising inflation. The central bank said that the move was "preventative",…
Bank Indonesia cuts benchmark interest rate
Bank Indonesia, the country's central bank, has cut its benchmark interest rate by a further 25 basis points to 8.25%, the governor Burhanuddin Abdullah announced on 5 July.
ECB leaves rates on hold
After leaving interest rates unchanged on 5 June, European Central Bank (ECB) president, Jean-Claude Trichet, signalled that the central bank will hike rates again later this year.
No change in Australian interest rates
The Reserve Bank of Australia has left interest rates unchanged at 6.25%, where they have remained since November 2006. The decision was widely expected.
Russian inflation at 5.7% in first half of year
Sergei Ignatyev, the chairman of the Central Bank of Russia, said on 4 July that inflation in the consumer price index (CPI) amounted to 5.7% in the period January-June this year. Ignatyev's comments came during a testimony before parliament.
Unexpected June price rises in Chile
Consumer prices in Chile rose 0.9% in June, representing their biggest monthly rise since September 2005. Food and housing costs were largely responsible for the shock.
Mauritius raises rates to 9.25%
The Bank of Mauritius, the country's central bank, announced on 30 June that it had raised its key repo rate by 75 basis points to 9.25% with effect from 2 July. The decision came after the third meeting of the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee …
Another rate hike in prospect in Poland
The Polish finance ministry has forecast that inflation in June will top the central bank's 2.5% target for the first time in over two years, making a rate rise more likely to ease growing price pressures in the fast-growing economy.
Korea's CPI rises 2.5% in a year
South Korea's consumer price index (CPI) rose to within the central bank's inflation target in June, according to preliminary figures from the country's National Statistical Office.
Examining inflation target uncertainty
In this Bank of Japan Working Paper, the authors analyse the interaction between private agents' uncertainty about inflation target and the central bank's data uncertainty.
New Bank of Chile paper on inflation expectations
This paper studies the relationship between inflation compensation and inflation expectations in Chile. The results show that inflation-expectations movements account for about only 25% of the relative returns, indicating that premiums are a very…
PBoC upgrades growth and inflation forecast
The research bureau of the People's Bank of China says the country's economy is expected to grow 10.8% this year, the fastest rate in over ten years.
Eurozone business confidence remains high
Recovery in the eurozone remains on track and economic confidence dipped only slightly this month, according to the European Commission. Inflation remained steady at 1.9% in June, within the ECB's target range, according to a separate estimate by…
Unexpected rate hike in Poland
Poland's central bank surprised market with a second rate hike for this year on 28 June, citing concerns that wage growth will force companies to boost prices.
Czech rates on hold, hikes to follow
The Czech central bank voted 4-1 to keep interest rates on hold at 2.75% on 28 June during its monthly policy meeting. Central bank chief Zdenek Tuma said there was every reason to increase borrowing costs, but that it had not been vital that the central…
Albanian rates up by 0.25%
Albania's central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.75% on 28 June. The central bank's governor, Adrian Fullani, said the risk of inflation had grown stronger lately, prompting the central bank's board of directors to act.
Norges Bank raises benchmark rate
In a widely predicted move, Norway's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the eleventh time in two years, moving the deposit rate up by a quarter point to 4.5%.
Brazil extends inflation target of 4.5% to 2009
The National Monetary Council of Brazil has extended the central bank's annual inflation target of 4.5% to 2009, which it says will provide policymakers with the "flexibility" to deal with unexpected price increases.
Inflationary pressures building - Fund
Inflationary pressures are "definitely building up" according to Simon Johnson, economic counsellor and director of research with the International Monetary Fund.
BoE annual report
The Bank of England (BoE) published its 2007 annual report on 25 June. Highlights include a 77% rise in the bank's annual profit in the last financial year and the launch of the Adam Smith £20 note.
Slovakia keeps rates steady
All key interest rates were left unchanged by the board of the National Bank of Slovakia at its regular monthly meeting on 26 June.